Trainer Stuart Webb has a recent guide to Crown Witness's chances of measuring up to stakes company at Caulfield on Saturday.
Crown Witness is unbeaten in two city runs but tackles a strong line-up of proven stakes performers in the Group III Quezette Stakes (1100m).
Webb had a similar question to answer with Legless Veuve, who jumped from a maiden win at Sale to win the Group II Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield last spring.
"They are different horses. This filly is up and there but Legless Veuve was lazy and laid back," Webb said.
"I think she's every bit as good as Legless Veuve and she won a Group II last spring."
Crown Witness, who races in the same black and lime green silks carried by Webb's dual Group I winner Yosei, was a comfortable debut winner at Sandown before running down the smart Madeenaty to score down the Flemington straight on August 5.
Webb said the form out of Crown Witness's Flemington win was strong enough to leave him optimistic in the chances of the daughter of Star Witness against the likes of Blue Diamond winner Catchy and former Perth filly Seannie.
"Griffo's (Robbie Griffiths) filly (Chateau Griffo) is a nice filly and she finished behind them and there was a gap to the rest," Webb said.
"It was a good race and they ran a good time and my filly is a nice filly so we were happy with that.
"They ran a second and a half quicker than the boys (earlier in the day)."
Seven of the 11 Quezette Stakes runners will resume from spells in the $150,000 race but Webb hopes the fact Crown Witness is two runs ahead of her main rivals will be significant on Saturday.
"Hopefully she's the fit filly going into Saturday," Webb said.
Ben Melham will ride Crown Witness on Saturday after apprentice Ben Thompson piloted the three-year-old in her first two starts.
Ladbrokes and Sportsbet have Crown Witness as a $9 chance to beat the $2.80 favourite Catchy.
