Reigning Meteor does not have the profile or city exposure of some of his Vain Stakes rivals.

But trainer Matthew Williams is keen to find out how good the colt is on Saturday.

The Warrnambool trainer believes the son of Northern Meteor has the talent to make an impression in the early-season Group Three race over 1100m, rating him a top-four chance.

Reigning Meteor won his maiden at Donald at his second start and then a juvenile race in heavy conditions during the Warrnambool carnival in May to earn his first-up shot at the Vain Stakes.

“Maybe something a little bit softer first-up would have been ideal but in saying that I have been super happy with him at home,” Williams said.

“He definitely seems to have come back better again and I guess we’re just trying to find out whether that is good enough to match it with the likes of Jabali and Nordic Empire.

“We’ll find out that out on Saturday and if he can we’ll be rapt.”

Williams has a good opinion of the colt and believes he could be better on top of the ground than he has been in rain affected going.

He said the youngster was forward for his return having pleased in two jump-outs at Coleraine.

“He’s also been to Ballarat a couple of times for a gallop on the uphill track,” Williams said.

“He has done plenty of work and I’d say he’s quite forward going to the races first-up.”

Caulfield trainer Mick Price has a strong hand in the Vain Stakes with three runners including first-up Moonee Valley winner Nordic Empire who is the $3.20 favourite ahead of his resuming stablemate Jabali ($5.50).