Trainer John Thompson has confirmed that Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci will kick off her autumn campaign in the G2 Silver Slipper at Rosehill, as part of her path towards the prestigious Golden Slipper (1200m).

The talented filly has not raced since her impressive victory at Randwick in October but has undergone multiple trials in preparation for her return. With Chad Schofield suspended, Zac Lloyd will take the reins on Saturday.

Bel Merci’s recent trial performances have shown improvement, including a dominant 8.3-length win at Kembla Grange.

“It definitely was (a concern) on the day but that was her first trip away from home,” Thompson said, referring to her tendency to lay in during a Rosehill trial.

“She had done everything at Randwick and never been away.

“I think she just got a bit lost. She was wide in the trial and it caught everybody by surprise, more so Chad than anyone.”

Her latest trial win has given the stable confidence heading into her first-up run.

“For that reason (laying in during the Rosehill trial), we wanted to take her away again so we took her to Kembla,” Thompson said.

“She’ll run well (on Saturday). Good horses run well, simple as that.

“She’s a good filly. She’s just got to go and do it at the races now.”

Thompson also highlighted how the form from her Gimcrack win has held up strongly, with O’ Ole and Memo finishing first and second in both the Wyong Magic Millions and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

“The form is really good,” Thompson said.

“Those two fillies that placed behind her went and ran the quinella in both Magic Millions races. And Gai’s nice filly (Bellazaine) that won at Randwick last week was in the Gimcrack as well. So it’s a good form line.”

Following the Silver Slipper, Bel Merci is set to contest the Reisling Stakes at Randwick on March 8 as her final lead-up to the Golden Slipper.