The Tom Dabernig-prepared Cavalry Girl is set to compete in the Carlyon Stakes, a preparatory race for a Group 1 campaign at Sandown.

This year, the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes (1000m) will be contested at Sandown on Saturday, followed by the Group 1 Moir Stakes over the same course and distance two weeks later.

Although the Moonee Valley Racing Club organises both races, track renovations have necessitated a venue change for these events.

It is anticipated that the Carlyon Stakes and Moir Stakes will resume at Moonee Valley next year.

Cavalry Girl has demonstrated peak performance, achieving a Listed race win at Morphettville on July 25 and then a benchmark 100 race victory at Caulfield Heath on August 8.

Dabernig had considered giving Cavalry Girl a spell for Stakes races during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but is reluctant to turn the mare out while she is in such formidable form.

“It’s Group 3, it’s 1000 metres,” Dabernig stated regarding the Carlyon Stakes.

“Sandown is a bit of an unknown, but they run the Moir at Sandown this year, so I thought it was a good opportunity to see how she handles the track as we have got the Moir in the back of our mind.

“I was considering Flemington, but while she’s in such a purple patch of form and she keeps pulling up well, the Carlyon could be there as potentially a winnable race, so you’re crazy not to consider it.

“And if she runs well enough, and pulls up well enough, there is the Group 1 there a couple of weeks later.”

If Cavalry Girl takes her place in the field, Craig Williams is expected to be the jockey.

Williams partnered the then three-year-old when she secured second place behind Signature Scent at Caulfield on July 11, with Todd Pannell riding her to victory at Morphettville.

Linda Meech was the jockey for her most recent win.

“Craig hasn’t ridden her a lot, but he was in Ukraine last start,” Dabernig said.

“Linda’s ridden her and could ride that light weight, but it will be Craig this time.”

Dabernig also has Dreamzel nominated for Saturday’s Group 3 sprint, but indicated the mare would likely be reserved for a benchmark 78 grade race at Bendigo on Wednesday week.

The Carlyon Stakes has 16 nominations, including the Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Ole Dancer.

Check out the racing odds for the Carlyon Stakes at Sandown.