There was a touch of spring in the air at the Rosehill barrier trials with two-time Group One winner Montefilia among a handful of stars in action.

In a pipe-opening hitout, Montefilia was given an easy time by Jason Collett to finish fifth in her 1030m heat on Friday.

Other big names to step out were sprinting mare Fasika and multiple Group One winner Kolding, who were also given quiet trials in finishing sixth and eighth respectively behind promising Hawkes Racing mare Written Beauty over 900m.

Montefilia’s trainer David Payne says the rising four-year-old has been back in work for six weeks and is progressing well.

But he admits the transition from three-year-old fillies’ grade to open company is significant and while Montefilia will be entered for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, she will need to prove she is a worthy contender.

“You’ve got to have an above-average horse so it will be a good test,” Payne said.

“I think she can, but I will let her show me before we decide on any races at Flemington or Caulfield. We will put her in them, but she will have to step up.”

The winner of the Flight Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes last spring, Montefilia is likely to resume in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 4.

Payne is also hoping rising three-year-olds Gleneagles and Raging Bull can make their marks on the spring.

A two-time winner, Gleneagles will follow a sprint path while Raging Bull will be set for the better middle-distance three-year-old races.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au