The pressure will be on Duchess Kate in her return to Ellerslie on Saturday.
She beat the highly-regarded Hiflyer on the course after Christmas before heading south to Trentham where she won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes.
However, Duchess Kate was below par last time out when unplaced in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic at Te Rapa and a Group One start will be on the line in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase.
"We just weren't quite sure about her after her last run," said Jamie Richards, who prepares the Savabeel filly with Stephen Autridge.
"She was down in the worst of the ground and she over-raced early on. We'll find out on Saturday if she's still on track for an Oaks start."
She beat the highly-regarded Hiflyer on the course after Christmas before heading south to Trentham where she won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes.
However, Duchess Kate was below par last time out when unplaced in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic at Te Rapa and a Group One start will be on the line in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase.
"We just weren't quite sure about her after her last run," said Jamie Richards, who prepares the Savabeel filly with Stephen Autridge.
"She was down in the worst of the ground and she over-raced early on. We'll find out on Saturday if she's still on track for an Oaks start."