SIZE does matter when it comes to promising Newcastle filly Elimbari.
A bulked-up Elimbari continues her campaign for a start in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on April 3 when she runs in today's Kindergarten Stakes (1100 metres) at Warwick Farm.
A win or strong effort would put Elimbari firmly in contention for the group 1 dash for the cash over 1200m.
It is a case of being thrown in the deep end for Elimbari, and she has to turn potential into performance.
The Kindergarten Stakes is one of the most power-packed two-year-old races this season.
The $125,000 group 3 race over 1100m features stars like the favourite Solar Charged($1.85), which was as an odds-on favourite when markets opened.
Solar Charged could not have been more impressive in winning her debut for astute trainer John O'Shea.
Georgette Silk, which blazed away in front last start to win easily is on the second line of betting at $5 alongside Elimbari.
Elimbari had punters nodding their head in approval when she sat three wide all the way on January 16 but still proved too good for Celts over 1100m at Rosehill.
Since then Lees has taken it easy with Elimbari, and she has appreciated the kid-gloves treatment.
Elimbari was 30 kilograms heavier when she returned to work this time.
Today she will turn out at 464kg, a massive 20kg more than her racing weight when she won so impressively on debut.
"There is no doubt she is bigger and stronger, and I just hope she can prove even better than she was," trainer Kris Lees said.
"I could not be happier with her and she is ready to go back to the races."
That was confirmed on Wednesday morning when Elimbari galloped impressively at Broadmeadow at dawn.
Lees decided to move his star filly to doing her main work midweek rather than the usual Tuesday or Thursday, which is the accepted day for fast work at most courses.
"It was just a bit of a shake-up, something different, and I have done this before with other horses and it has worked," Lees said.
Lees said he would not be surprised if Solar Charged out-slicked his filly today.
"Around Warwick Farm Solar Charged might be too nippy," Lees said.
"You would think Georgette Silk and Solar Charged would be in front of our filly.
"I just hope that the extra strength she has now will really help her on Saturday.
"But whatever happens this is not our girl's grand final.
"The plan is to have her at her peak on Golden Slipper day, and I think that can happen."
All three of the top choices in the market for the Kindergarten Stakes are fillies.
"The fillies seem to have it on many of the colts this year," Lees said.
"It maybe that we have run into a vintage crop of fillies.
"But from what Elimbari has done I think she rightly rates up there with the best of them."
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