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Kris Lees has taken a line through his previous Spring Stakes winner to lift his confidence with Perfect Radiance at Newcastle on Saturday.

The lightly-raced filly is attempting to become only the fifth of her sex to win the Group 3 feature for three-year-olds.

Lees trained now retired 2017 winner Invincible Gem, who joined earlier winners Lotteria (2004) and Lovemelikearock (2009) as fillies who have been successful since the Spring Stakes' introduction in 1984, and nearly won it again last year when Game Of Thorns chased home another filly Asiago.

Invincible Gem had raced seven times when she scored – the 1600m event was run at Royal Randwick that year – and Snitzel filly Perfect Radiance will be having her fifth start on Saturday, and has already won twice.

Brenton Avdulla rode Invincible Gem and also partners Perfect Radiance and, that aside, Lees sees some similarities between the two "girls".

"Invincible Gem was a bit more experienced when she won the Spring Stakes, but I could definitely compare Perfect Radiance with her," he said this afternoon.

"She has a lot of upside, and we have targeted this race with her.

"Perfect Radiance was unlucky when narrowly beaten over 1400m at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day, and I felt she had more to give.

"Obviously, this is her first attempt at 1600m, but there's no better time to have a go than in a stakes race such as this."

Perfect Radiance  is one of 12 current runners – Darleb is not yet a confirmed starter in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) from a wide draw - Lees has at the $1m The Hunter stand-alone Saturday fixture.

As well as his five representatives in The Hunter, he also has Mongolian Wolf (Benchmark 88 Handicap, 1850m), Occupy and Chalmers (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1600m), Enchanted Heart (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1400m), and Asharani (Benchmark 88 Handicap, 1300m).

Mongolian Wolf  is probably still one run away but is in good order, whilst Occupy and Chalmers both have chances," Lees said.

"Enchanted Heart is going great with wins at her last two starts. Nash Rawiller sticks with her and the inside draw is a big advantage with 61.5kg.

"Asharani  was also entered for The Hunter and has been kept fresh, and like Enchanted Heart, has the advantage of the rails barrier.

"She should run really well."

. Twelve months ago, Game Of Thorns was runner-up in the Spring Stakes and now she is interstate chasing a feature success at Sandown on Saturday.

Damien Oliver rode her when third to Rocha Clock over 1600m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day. She struck interference not far from home, which almost certainly cost her second placing.

Oliver stays with her in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1500m) against her own sex.

"Game Of Thorns is coming back slightly in distance, but should run well again provided she handles the nine-day back-up," Lees said.

Kedah (Andrew Mallyon) is in brilliant form, and chases another win in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (1615m) at Doomben on Saturday.

"Her form hasn't looked back since we threatened to sell her," Lees said. "There's no reason why she won't run well again from a favorable draw."

Kedah has won twice and been placed three times from her last five Queensland starts.