Phillip Stokes believes fate may have played its part after Ferivia ($11) stormed into Group 1 contention with a narrow win in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Sandown.

The filly was scratched on race morning from last week’s Jim Moloney Stakes due to a stable mishap, but bounced back to edge out favourite Ole Dancer ($2.80) by a short-half-head, with Salty Pearl ($9) a nose away in third.

Stokes confirmed the Thousand Guineas (1600m) on October 18 at Caulfield is now her grand final. “She missed a bit of work, so there is improvement to come and by the time the Guineas is run, she should be on song,” he said.

Jockey Lachlan Neindorf, who has long believed Ferivia would thrive over further, praised her fighting qualities. “I thought I was gone at the 100, but she changed legs and found again … I think she’ll get a mile for sure.”