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Form can sometimes be misleading, but Morphettville trainer Jon O’Connor is hoping it will prove on the money when Smokin’ Val returns to Melbourne on Friday night.

An impressive Murray Bridge winner on debut, Smokin' Val was then game in defeat at Flemington behind Tony and Calvin McEvoy's Celestine with La Mexicana running third, before going to the paddock.

"I'm not huge when it comes to form lines, they are a big talking point, but can be a bit simplistic," Jon O'Connor said. 

"But taking a line through her last run, La Mexicana, came out and won a Stakes race on Cox Plate at her next start and then won against older mares at Caulfield last week. 

"If that's any guide it gives you confidence that we can aim out filly at some better races."

And he said he couldn't fault her lead-in. 

"There wasn't anything in Adelaide for her," O'Connor said. 

"I wanted to start her in a 1000m race here but the only option was taking on older horses which isn't ideal, so when this fillies race came up it looked ideal for her. 

"She's had a breezy preparation until now. She had a good little jump-out a couple of weeks ago and travelled over on Monday night. They're staying at Mick Kent's at Cranbourne, but all the reports are she's settled in well."

Smokin' Val has drawn barrier nine over the 1000m trip but has the services of one of the best in the business in Damien Oliver. 

At Morphettville tomorrow, O'Connor has Motell stepping out in trip having won two of his past three starts. 

"I'm confident he'll run it, he settles well and only gets going right at the end of his races," O'Connor said. 

"His mother actually ran fourth in a Queensland Oaks. It was a year when there were 20 runners on a heavy track in a real slog and it was pretty strong version of the race. 

"On the dam side it's very dour and he's trained on really well." 

The stable will be hoping to add to some impressive placement of Angaston who justified a strong betting plunge to win at Pakenham on Thursday night, 

The horse has now been in the money at seven of eight starts over the 1400m trip.