While Sunday’s Maiden Handicap (1,400 metres) at Wellington might be a tough prospect for the six-year-old, Stanley was encouraged by her first-up performance on her home track last month.

“She really flew in that race but she’s one of those horses that you just have to try and catch her on her right day. She wasn’t too far away,” Stanley said.

“Hopefully she can run a place here. She’s second up and has come back with a bit more weight on her. She’s looking really healthy.”

This will be the 31^st start for the All American mare who has finished a runner-up on just a single occasion.

December’s third place at Bathurst came after a 25 week stint in the paddock.

In the previous preparation Quint Australis came close to victory, her best chance being a fourth place by 1.2 lengths at Bathurst.

Despite the zero sitting in her wins column Stanley remains confident his mare can change that in this preparation.

“She’s been caught wide on a couple of her runs and didn’t get any luck on a few others. She hasn’t run a bad race for me honestly,” he said.

Stanley will also bring Strada Lane to Wellington.

The filly needs one more scratching to gain a start in the Maiden Plate (1,100m).

Strada Lane has only made the two career starts, finishing in the bottom two on both occasions.

She returns to the track after a six month spell.

Stanley will be hoping his three-year-old can bring more of the form which saw her run second in her trial.

“She’s still got a lot to learn. They need a few runs so they can be educated properly,” Stanley said.

“If she doesn’t get the run I’ll be able to find another race for her soon. She’ll be good to bring along anyway to give my other mare some company.

“We have a Bathurst meeting coming up and there’s a Cowra one on just before that. I’ve got a few other horses who will be ready to run there.”

Stanley will be joined by fellow Bathurst trainers Don and Andrew Ryan and Dean Mirfin.

The Ryans bring Nurture and last start winner Ave to the meeting.

Ave will be one to watch in the Benchmark 55 Handicap (1,400m) after finishing second and first in her two runs this prep.

Nurture hasn’t been far away from a placing in her three runs late last year but will need a lift in performance to be competitive in the Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1,100m).

Mirfin’s Go Go Gio is hoping to go one spot better after finishing behind Ave by 2.7 lengths in her previous run – the same race in which Quint Australis ran third.

It’s a busy weekend of racing in the Western Districts this weekend with an Orange meeting taking place on Saturday.

Bathurst has representation at the meeting through Paul Theobald (Rise Me Up, Heeby Frenly) and Roy L McCabe (Teragaze).