Grid Girl will look to keep her perfect preparation intact when she steps into black-type company for the first time in the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington on New Year’s Eve.

The Victoria Racing Club has shifted its traditional New Year’s Day meeting to a twilight program on December 31, a move expected to draw more than 10,000 racegoers and establish a new summer showcase format.

Grid Girl heads into the 1400-metre contest chasing a fourth consecutive victory this preparation and connections believe further targets at Flemington could open up should the five-year-old continue her upward trajectory.

Trainer Jd Hayes is confident she can rise to the occasion.

“She’s gone to another level,” Hayes said.

“She’s really come of age and she’s racing well, honest and consistent, and I can’t see why she can measure up at black type level.”

The mare proved her credentials last start when travelling to Rosehill and scoring in Benchmark 94 grade on December 7, a performance that earned her a Racing and Sports rating of 106.

Hayes believes maturity has been the key to her recent improvement.

“She used to do a fair bit wrong and I think it has all come with racing and age,” Hayes added.

“She used to be quite keen in her races and she seems to have dropped that habit and it has culminated with her being able to finish a lot more strongly.

“She is probably similar to what Marble Arch did at the same age,” he added of the now six-year-old who took out the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in March.

“Her win in Sydney was dominant in that she was in for a dogfight and didn’t give up.”

Grid Girl has drawn barrier one in a nine-horse field, with stablemates Run Harry Run and Roll On High also set to represent the Lindsay Park team.

“Roll On High likes Flemington and I think she can bounce back there,” Hayes said.

Early markets for the Kensington Stakes are available via the Australian betting sites list.