Socks Nation will kick off her latest campaign in Saturday’s Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) as the Oaks winner gears up for another Queensland winter assault.

Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord, representing the Ciaron Maher stable, said the mare had returned in great shape after spending time in Victoria before recently arriving in Sydney.

“She looks very well and she has had a good base in Victoria,” he said. “She just arrived here last week. She will improve on whatever she does but it’s a good starting point.”

Socks Nation caused an upset in the Queensland Oaks and showed it was no fluke with top-level placings in the Empire Rose Stakes and Northerly Stakes (1800m).

“Three-year-olds who win races like the Oaks often struggle to transition, but she made that step impressively,” Gerard-Dubord said. “Something like the Doomben Cup or The Q22 will be ideal for her.”

The stable is also weighing up whether to run Tiz Invincible in the same race after drawing a wide barrier. She is also entered for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

Tiz Invincible has not replicated her early three-year-old form but remains competitive and placed in a Group 3 at Flemington last spring.

“On her work at home, I couldn’t fault her,” Gerard-Dubord said. “She is working very well and looks as good as she ever has.”

He added that a fast pace would help her bounce back from an unplaced effort in the Sapphire Stakes (1200m).

Hawkesbury was rated heavy midweek, though forecast improvements suggest the track could dry out before race day.