Tough filly Thermosphere is warning up for a start in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas after overcoming a horror run to the Group 2 $300,000 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington today.

Thermosphere, above, scored a tough win in the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.

Thermosphere jumped from gate eleven in the sixteen horse Group 2 for the three year old fillies and Damian Lane was unable to get closer than three wide midfield for the entire trip.

Lane found himself in clear space on the home turn and timed his time well down the long Flemington straight and Thermosphere ($3.60 favourite) was able to respond and went on to record a head win over $26 chance Starelle.

Third placegetter Chica Fuerte ($8.50) also ran a nice trial for the Group 1 $1m Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.

The James Cummings trained Thermosphere’s breeding suggests that she would be better suited over the sprinting distances but Godolphin’s Melbourne stable representative Sean Keogh said that the team in Sydney were confident the Exosphere filly would handle the extended distances.

“She was in a bit of an awkward spot but Damian did well,” Keogh said.

“Got her three wide with cover and just had her in a lovely rhythm. She came into the race well conditions from her races in Sydney and the riders up there told us that she would be good at a mile and James was confident she would get it.”

“It did look a bit tricky at the 600m when she did get pushed out. It looked like Damian just wanted to keep her on the bridle and she managed to get into the race nicely and when he got into her late she found.”