Grid Girl’s picket fence preparation is set to roll on at Flemington when she steps out for her first shot at black type in the Listed Kensington Stakes on New Year’s Eve.

The Victoria Racing Club has shifted its traditional New Year’s Day meeting to a twilight fixture on December 31, with hopes more than 10,000 racegoers will attend and establish a new summer showcase.

The five-year-old mare lines up in the 1400-metre feature chasing a fourth straight win this preparation, with bigger targets at Flemington on the agenda if she continues to progress.

Trainer Jd Hayes is confident she can take the next step.

“She’s gone to another level,” Hayes said.

“She’s really come of age and she’s racing well, honest and consistent, and I can’t see why she can measure up at black type level.”

Grid Girl earned her opportunity with a narrow benchmark 94 win at Rosehill on December 7, recording a Racing and Sports rating of 106.

“She used to do a fair bit wrong and I think it has all come with racing and age,” Hayes added.

“She used to be quite keen in her races and she seems to have dropped that habit and it has culminated with her being able to finish a lot more strongly.

“She is probably similar to what Marble Arch did at the same age,” he added, referencing the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) winner.

“Her win in Sydney was dominant in that she was in for a dogfight and didn’t give up.”

Grid Girl has drawn barrier one in a field of nine, with stablemates Run Harry Run and Roll On High also engaged.

“Roll On High likes Flemington and I think she can bounce back there,” Hayes said.