Ciaron Maher’s promising fillies Cherish Me and Exit will step out at Moonee Valley on Saturday, with both aiming to press their claims for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) later in the spring.

Cherish Me resumes in the 1200m Drummond Golf Plate after a mixed first-up run at Caulfield, where she finished sixth in her first start since the Blue Diamond. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull expects blinkers to sharpen her up after a strong Cranbourne jumpout.

“She was just OK first-up, she travelled in patches and did a lot wrong, so she’s had a jumpout with blinkers and went very good,” Turnbull said.

Exit contests the 1523m Manhari Handicap, stepping up in distance after being rolled as favourite at Flemington. Turnbull believes the Bivouac filly will appreciate the extra trip and remains a top-class prospect.

Cherish Me, to be ridden by Tom Stockdale, heads betting in her race, while Exit, partnered by Mark Zahra, is vying for favouritism against Chris Waller’s Crossbow.