Paul 'Country' Francis is the jockey to watch on Saturday's 10-race card. - Colin Hamilton

OLYMPIC PROSPECT galloped out strongly when landing the Hot Line Stakes on February 16 and should have no problem repeating in tomorrow's 1400-metre Thornbird Stakes, the main prep for next month's 1000 Guineas at a mile.

Installed a 1-2 favourite after finishing a dozen lengths behind unbeaten United States-bred stablemate CITY FLIGHT on December 29, OLYMPIC PROSPECT returned in her third start to outclass the Hot Line Stakes field.

Though 1:15.2 was far from earth-shattering, OLYMPIC PROSPECT was clearly the best on the day. Renewing rivalry with runner-up SELECTABOOK and third-place LADY ABHIJITA, the Gary Subratie-trained runner has nothing to fear from that pair.

PRINCESS SASSY is the unknown in the 11-horse field after her 10-length victory on February 27 at 1200 metres. A full sister to TRADITIONAL PRINCE, PRINCESS SASSY streaked away from maidens in 1:15.1.

quality

However, the quality of that race was exposed on Wednesday when runner-up I'M A BELIEVER could only manage fourth at 1000 metres straight in an average line-up.

Having galloped 1:15.4 at exercise last Sunday morning, a bullet work, OLYMPIC PROSPECT should report better than her Hot Line Stakes win. Subratie had hardly asked her a question at exercise in preparation for that race, a half-mile breeze in 48.3.

Paul 'Country' Francis is the jockey to watch on Saturday's 10-race card. Francis has three hot mounts - RUNAWAY QUEEN in the third at 1820 metres, PRESCRIPTION at his favourite distance in the fifth, 1000 metres straight, and LIGHT BRIGADE in the sixth, also over the straight.

An eternal one-pacer, RUNAWAY QUEEN was properly used by Francis on February 27 when he held the filly and rode her for the last two furlongs to get within three-quarter lengths of I AM THANKFUL at a mile.

RUNAWAY QUEEN's main threat must be ROYAL LINE who had finished 11 lengths fourth after chasing stablemate POWER BY LIGHT into the lane.

The Wayne DaCosta-trained gelding is quicker than RUNAWAY QUEEN and had finished ahead of her in his previous race, beating the filly by three and a quarter lengths when failing by a nose to catch PRINCIPE at 1800 metres.

Despite returning with Lasix administered tomorrow, ROYAL LINE should be found wanting for stamina when RUNAWAY QUEEN comes calling after a mile.

Francis won aboard PRESCRIPTION on January 12, clocking 57.2 and returned to finish 10 lengths behind CITY FLIGHT and SIR VON in overnight allowance company 18 days later. She's down in class among non-winners-of-four and won't be beaten.

LIGHT BRIGADE was slowly away at 1200 metres on February 27, costing him badly in a one and three-quarter length loss to DONATA. He only needs a clean break tomorrow to make amends with Francis.