Robert Smerdon is upbeat about the chances of stakes-placed filly Betsy making a winning start for her new stable when she drops in class at Mornington.

The Qatar Bloodstock-owned three-year-old steps out in Wednesday's The Cove Hotel Handicap, having been transferred to Smerdon after doing her early racing for fellow Caulfield trainer Peter Moody.

A Morphettville Guineas runner-up at her second start after a four-length debut win at Cranbourne last August, Betsy was unplaced in three runs earlier this year and finished well beaten in the Autumn Classic and Alister Clark Stakes at Group Two level.

"We've lowered our sights, thinking let's get back to her grade and see if we can get her some confidence," Smerdon said.

Smerdon was encouraged by Betsy's recent barrier trial win at Cranbourne on May 11 in heavy going ahead.

He said hopes of Betsy being an Oaks filly were dashed when she was disappointing in the Autumn Classic and Alister Clark Stakes.

"She came across to me because I've got the other Qatar Bloodstock horses anyway, and we gave her a brief freshen-up at the water walker and then trialled her the other day where we thought she was really good," the trainer said.

"It was very heavy conditions but she trialled strongly over 1200 metres.

"She kicks off in a race which is a pretty big class drop to what she's been running in.

"She was pretty fit when she came to me, she has trialled well and it's a significant grade drop from what she's been running in so I'm looking for her to run really well."

Betsy will be ridden by Craig Williams who has had 43 metropolitan winners in Victoria this season to lead the Melbourne premiership by one win over Dwayne Dunn with Damien Oliver a further win back.