With high-profile stablemate Autumn Glow still a couple of weeks from making her return, Lady Shenandoah has the chance to set an early benchmark for the carnival in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick.

The traditional season opener for three-year-old fillies, Saturday’s feature has come too soon for the undefeated Autumn Glow, who is on the comeback trail following bone chip surgery on her knee. She had her first barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.

However, trainer Chris Waller will still have strong representation in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) with four runners, led by $3.20 favorite Lady Shenandoah.

A commanding winner of the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at just her fourth start, the Snitzel filly has turned heads in recent trials, and Waller is confident she will continue to improve.

“Lady Shenandoah has shown sharpness in her trials, which is exciting to see,” Waller said.

“She’s very talented. I think last campaign, she was winning on sheer ability. She did an incredible job early in her three-year-old season.”

Declichy Boulevard, another of Waller’s quartet, is rated at $13 in early markets with betting apps after a consistent spring campaign in Melbourne, where she secured two stakes placings.

The trainer has been impressed with her development and believes she could step up to contest major fillies’ races.

“In the autumn, some horses make that leap to the next level, and I believe she is one of them,” he said.

“She trialled strongly first-up, and in the second trial, we held her back to let her settle.

“The outcome will depend on barriers, race tempo, and positioning, but the real fireworks will come in the Surround (Stakes).”

Group 3 Red Roses Stakes winner Amelita ($17) and Lazzura ($26) complete Waller’s Light Fingers Stakes lineup. It will be a major day for the top trainer, who will also see stars like Via Sistina, Fangirl, and Joliestar resuming at Randwick.