KEY POINTS:
Glamour filly Lizzie Maguire will be trying to resurrect her season at Alexandra Park tonight.
The Pascoes Northern Oaks winner's campaign all but finished with her second in the Harness Jewels on May 31, but a change of heart by her connections means she now has two more major targets in her sights.
But to deserve a crack at them she needs to prove she is still on top of her game in the 2200m mobile feature tonight.
Lizzie Maguire will take on older opponents in the $15,000 Lindauer Mobile and until the field came out trainer Gareth Dixon was expecting tonight's race to be a simple lead-up event.
"But after looking at the field, it isn't really strong, so she will need to go close to winning to be on the plane to Australia," said Dixon.
"After all, she went 2:42 for this distance fresh up this season and is a stronger filly now.
"I think we have to put her in the race this week because the worst thing that could happen is her getting locked away on the markers and Peter [Ferguson, driver] coming back in and not being able to tell me exactly where she is at.
"And to be honest, I think it is a race she can win now."
Dixon's confidence for tonight have been bouyed not only by the calibre of opposition but a recent workout win and then a sharp final hit-out on Wednesday.
"I took her to the workouts last week and she sprinted a really good half [800m] and then her work on Wednesday was good."
If Lizzie Maguire does please Dixon tonight she will be on a plane next week to contest the A$75,000 Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley next Saturday, followed by a heat and then the finals of the Breeders Crown in Victoria next month.
With the benefit of the inside draw tonight the big daughter of Christian Cullen could well lead, although she does have two genuine flyers in China Godess and Smoke N Mirrors drawn wide on the front line. If either, or both, of them came across, Ferguson may be tempted to take a trail but any significant burn early would almost certainly open the field up, meaning Lizzie should still get a clear run.
Regardless of tactics, she is clearly the one to beat.
Smoke N Mirrors looks better suited tonight than she has been in her two-race northern campaign and looks a good each-way chance while Jazz Bromac, Presidential Belle and Matter Of Pride all have appeal.
Jazz Bromac is hard to follow but should stay handy with minimal effort and would love a hot pace.
Presidential Belle is drawn directly behind Lizzie Maguire so should get a nice run while Matter Of Pride looks the big improver.
He paraded looking in need of a run last Friday, his first start back in a year, but fought on well.
The race will provide an interesting test for punters chasing the $150,000 Pick6, with many sure to be torn between anchoring Lizzie Maguire and spreading their spend.
With few anchors in the other legs they may be forced to anchor the class filly and smart punters should look at percentage bets rather than cut back on runners per race because most of the legs appear to have at least five winning chances.
* Even if Lizzie Maguire wins next week's Australian Oaks it won't help her win the Filly of the Year award. She is locked in a tight battle with Kiwi Ingenuity but voting closes next Friday, just 30 hours before the Oaks.
TESTING TIME
* Lizzie Maguire is on trial for an Australian campaign at Alexandra Park tonight.
* She has pleased trainer Gareth Dixon with her lead-up work.
* She will be many punters anchor in the $150,000 Pick6.
