Gear change designed to focus Fiesta

Trainer Chris Waller is confident a gear change will help Widden Stakes favourite Fiesta even more formidable at Rosehill.

The filly returns to racing for the first time since October on Saturday when she will try to break her maiden at the third start.

Although pleased with Fiesta’s two minor placings so far, Waller believes the addition of blinkers can get her over the line in Saturday’s Group Three test for fillies over 1100m.

“The blinkers go on. She’s been a bit timid in her first two starts,” Waller said on his stable update.

“She probably should have won the Gimcrack.”

Fiesta was away slowly in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) at Randwick in September and wound up late after being checked to follow Satin Slipper and Setsuna to the post.

Sydney’s premier trainer expects Fiesta to justify her favouritism on Saturday.

“Her work’s been good. She trialled well and she’s a mature horse with experience now,” he said.

Fiesta is listed at $51 for the Golden Slipper in March with stablemate Performer Waller’s leading hope.

The Slipper’s $8 second favourite behind the Tony McEvoy-trained Sunlight, Performer continues his build-up when he returns from a spell in the Group Three Canonbury Stakes (1100m).

Performer headed to the paddock after a winning introduction to racing in the Listed Breeders’ Plate (1000m) in spring.

“It’s looks like there’s promising trial performers in the race but I couldn’t be happier with him,” Waller said.