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A spring carnival campaign beckons for juvenile Rantan if she can continue to step up to the plate.
The metropolitan debut of Rantan will serve as a spring litmus test for the untapped filly, with trainer Ron Quinton keen to see how she measures up against several rivals with carnival form references.
The daughter of I Am Invincible created a big impression at the trials, particularly her second when she made up many lengths, zipping home under her own steam to win comfortably.
As a result, she was sent out an odds-on favourite for her first start at Newcastle when she again came from back in the field to score, defeating Shall Be, who franked the form with a win at the same track on Wednesday.
Rantan steps up to Saturday city grade in the ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill where her rivals include Godolphin youngster Pisces, a placegetter behind stakes-winning two-year-old Straight Charge in December, and Diddle Dumpling, who was competitive in both the Sweet Embrace and Percy Sykes Stakes over the autumn.
Quinton sees the race as an important test for Rantan, a filly he hopes can chime into the black-type races next season.
"It is a nice measuring stick, but she will go to the paddock after Saturday whatever happens," Quinton said.
"I really want to concentrate on making her a nice three-year-old, so I'll get her out and give her a nice break now and get her back for the spring.
"I have always liked her a bit.
"I just hope she lives up to what everyone thinks she might."
Rantan only won her debut by half a length and post-race, Quinton admitted he thought she might have scored more easily.
But with the form subsequently standing up and some positive feedback from winning jockey Tim Clark, he is comfortable heading into Saturday's assignment.
"Tim Clark said it was a lot better win than what you thought it was," Quinton explained.
"She made up five or six lengths from the top of the straight to the winning post, so it was OK.
"I haven't seen too much difference in her trackwork (since then), but by the same token in the stables, she has really pleased me. That's all I can ask for."
Rantan will be one of three Rosehill runners for Quinton, who also saddles up consistent gelding Biographer in the Midway Handicap (1100m) and Smart Little Miss in the Dennis Jamieson Handicap (1300m).
The latter was a winner at Hawkesbury two starts ago and has been thriving at home in the lead-up to Saturday.
"She can be a bit hit and miss," Quinton said.
"But I've never been as happy with her in the stable as I have been over the last seven or ten days."
