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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Grant Allard would like to think there’s a stakes win in Majestic Shot’s future but for now he’s keeping his feet on the ground as the smart mare returns at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

It’s been a fast rise for Majestic Shot, who opened her last campaign in a Class 2 at Goulburn and ended it with a Listed placing and a dominant Rosehill win, and Allard said it’s still all upside for the four-year-old.

“She’s shaping up to be a nice consistent horse,’’ Allard said.

“It’s rare you get a horse go through the grades as quick as she has and be stakes placed. Without being cheeky I don’t think we’ve seen the best of her.

“She’s been brilliant over a sprint journey but being by Shooting To Win out of a Viscount mare I’d be surprised if she can’t run a bit further.”

Allard has been able to keep Majestic Shot in a Benchmark 78 for her return in the ATC’s Most Winning Owner Godolphin Handicap (1000m) but admits the mare has been afforded no favours.

Regan Bayliss rides from gate 14 and she has to carry 59kg but on the plus side the Gosford trainer said she’s proven on a wet track and is no one trick pony.

Majestic Shot wins at Rosehill in June

“She appreciates soft ground, I think that will only help her, and at her last race start she drew the outside at Rosehill and crossed and won,’’ he said.

“The best part about her is her versatility, she can put herself in the race if she needs to. It really depends on the tempo and what happens when the gates open.

“Even though she has the form she has to step up to the mark and she is first up on a heavy track and drawn the outside so not every box is ticked. Hopefully she can overcome those things.”

The mare didn't have a long time out and she showed her readiness with an easy Muswellbrook trial win just over a week ago.

It would have been easy for Allard to throw Majestic Shot, $4.40 with TAB on Thursday, straight into stakes company considering the form around her second behind Ballistic Lover from the Listed Denise’s Joy back on May 15.

But he said a win on Saturday would push her into a Benchmark 88 and he’s happy to take that step first.

“If she can acquit herself well there’s a race for her a couple of weeks later and we go from there,’’ he said.

“I think she is still learning the trade, while we’re getting a feel for how good she is and how far she’ll get in distance

“I’ll let her guide us to where we end up, hopefully it is better races than a 78 but she already has black type against her name. It’s already been a great ride and hopefully for Grand Syndicates the ride continues.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Kembla Grange meeting