Trainer Clinton McDonald is bullish about the Thousand Guineas prospects of Tahni Dancer, convinced the filly can give Saturday’s Group One race a shake.

The three-year-old steps up to 1600m for the first time in the $500,000 event at Caulfield after being kept to 1200m for her three starts this campaign.

After placing behind Guineas rival Afleet Esprit at Moonee Valley first-up, Tahni Dancer won a maiden at Cranbourne before finishing nicely from back in the field for second to the speedy Eloping in the Group Three Champagne Classic at Moonee Valley.

Tahni Dancer is a $12 chance for the Thousand Guineas and McDonald believes she has had the right preparation to peak in Saturday’s fillies’ feature.

“She has stepped away slowly over six (furlongs, 1200m), but that has been in a fast-run six,” McDonald said.

“So over the mile we’re hoping we can sort of land a little bit closer to give her the opportunity to be closer to strike.

“She’s a real live hope. She’s going really good.”

McDonald rated Tahni Dancer as a filly on the rise and said he elected to keep her to 1200m last start, rather than venture to 1400m, as he felt it would keep her sharp for the Guineas trip.

“She’s a filly that hasn’t had a lot of hard racing and we’ve had no hiccups along the way, which is a big thing coming into these races,” he said.

“She’s always been a quality filly that has shown us that she’s black-type class. She gets her chance on Saturday to show it.”

Go Indy Go has already won a Group One race over the Thousand Guineas distance having claimed the Champagne Stakes in Sydney as a two-year-old.

She holds favouritism at $4.60 after flashing home for third behind Afleet Esprit and Amicus in the Prelude (1400m) last start.

Afleet Esprit, winner of her past three starts, shares the second line of betting at $5 with Bring Me The Maid and Lumosty.