Even if she never wins a Group One race, Catkins will always be a stable favourite with Chris Waller.

The mare steps out in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on Saturday and win or lose, Waller is already proud of her efforts this autumn.

The striking grey has won three Group Two races and run second in the Group One Canterbury Stakes won by Cosmic Endeavour.

She has also been placed in two other Group One events and earned more than $1.6 million.

Waller admits he would love to see her win a major but says it's not the be-all and end-all.

"I'm also going to protect her if she doesn't win one," Waller said.

"She is a wonderful mare and is racing as well as she ever has.

"The biggest question mark obviously is the mile but she has a soft draw (10) which should help her."

Catkins has won 15 races but just one over 1600 metres - the Group Three Eliza Park International at Moonee Valley in October 2013.

Another reason for Waller's affection for Catkins is that she is owned by the Ingham family.

In late 2007, Bob Ingham sold the Woodlands racing and breeding organisation to Sheikh Mohammed.

He and his family then invested in a new racing operation on a smaller scale and anointed the up-and-coming Waller as the trainer of the venture.

"Mr Ingham was there before I had even won a Group One race," Waller said.

Waller has come a long way and has been Australia's leading Group One trainer for the past two seasons.

He notched his 10th elite victory for the season when Kermadec took out Monday's Doncaster Mile.

The trainer has four chances to win the Queen Of The Turf with Intimate Moment, Telepathic and Amicus joining Catkins in the $1 million race for fillies and mares.

First Seal and Noble Protector are the $3.40 equal favourites with Catkins next at $5.

Telepathic is at $17, Intimate Moment $21 and three-year-old Amicus, the winner of the Thousand Guineas in the spring, a $26 chance.

She has been winless in four starts this autumn, her most recent when sixth in the Vinery Stud Stakes.

"Amicus ran well for fourth in the Coolmore against the older mares but didn't stay the 2000 metres of the Vinery," Waller said.

"But it's always hard when you've got First Seal in the race."