Gai Waterhouse’s Magic Millions quinella Driefontein and No Looking Back head the leading trainers Thousand Guineas contingent of seven which are among the 206 entries received today .

Driefontein is one of trainer Gai Waterhouse's horses nominated for the Thousand Guineas - photo © Daniel Costello

The Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 17 has attracted a strong group of three year old fillies which also sees the Blue Diamond Stakes winner Samaready among the entires.

Waterhouse has only recently returned from an overseas holiday and was happy with her team when she reported to Tulloch Lodge to cast an eye over her Spring brigade.

“Driefontein hasn’t really grown but is going well,” Waterhouse said.

Driefontein and No Looking Back are primed for their Spring return with the both fillies having completed a barrier trial on July 30.

Driefontein headed to the $2m BMW Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 14 undefeated and after being second past the post, Tommy Berry successively protested against stable mate No Looking Back for interference over the concluding stages but still provided the quinella for the Waterhouse stable.

The Fastnet Rock filly then went on to finish sixth to stablemate Pierro in the Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7.

While No Looking Back took a different course to the Slipper and finished second to Samaready in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25 before the Golden Slipper.

The Mick Price trained Samaready was put away after starting favourite in the Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7 finishing third to the unbeaten colt Pierro.

Price will use the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 15 as a guide to her chances in the Caulfield feature for three year old fillies.

‘I would think that a very logical preparation would be a first-up run in the Quezette Stakes [1100 metres], then second-up two weeks later in the McNeil [1200 metres], and then two weeks to the Golden Rose,” he said. ”That makes a lot of sense in my opinion, and we can think about guineas and other races later on.”

”I certainly think that 1400 metres will be within reach of a filly like her. Physically she has lengthened a bit and made some improvement, and that could help,” he added.

The top Melbourne trainer has picked the Listed $120,000 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 18 as the starting point for Samaready’s Spring campaign followed by the Group 3 $150,000 HDF McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 1.

Price will then head to Sydney with the More Than Ready filly for the Golden Rose before heading back to Melbourne.

Melbourne’s leading trainer Peter Moody has nominated six fillies for the Thousand Guineas including Sandown winner Mareeza.