She's Licketysplit will be attempting to become the third filly to add her name to the Empire Rose Stakes honour roll at Flemington.
New Zealand galloper She's Licketysplit will be the only filly to tackle the older mares in the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington.
Since the race was granted Group 1 status in 2004, only two three-year-old fillies have been successful in the 1600m race – I Am A Star in 2016 and Shoals 12 months later.
Trainer Andrew Forsman hopes She's Licketysplit can add her name to the honour board on Saturday.
The small team Forsman has had in Melbourne for the spring has been in sparkling form and the trainer elected to chase Saturday's Group 1 race rather than attempt to stretch the filly out in trip.
Success in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 1 was followed by a 1-¾ length third in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.
That run on heavy ground swayed Forsman's decision to keep She's Licketysplit to the 1600m trip while there is also a $1 million bonus on offer following the filly's win in the Manifold Stakes.
"It was frustrating in the Guineas the way the track was," Forsman said.
"She needs good ground and even in her gallop on Tuesday she only just handled that.
"The decision to run on Saturday was borne out of the fact she won the Edward Manifold and she is up for a $1 million bonus if she can win."
The weather may not have been ideal for She's Licketysplit in recent weeks, but Forsman said the filly had pleased him since the Thousand Guineas outing.
While the track condition may have been a little softer than She's Licketysplit may have liked in a gallop on Tuesday, Forsman said she was still going really well.
"She doesn't do a lot in trackwork and even with the blinkers on she is prone to having a look around," Forsman said.
"She's still quite green and raw."
Cover Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos