The only filly in Saturday's Group Three McNeil Stakes has assumed favouritism after the scratching of Nostradamus from Caulfield.

Hawkes Racing has decided to keep quality colt Nostradamus in Sydney for Saturday's Run To The Rose, leaving the Shea Eden-trained Novel Dancer at the head of the revised McNeil Stakes market.

Novel Dancer made her stakes racing debut at Caulfield two weeks ago and turned in a gallant performance for third in the Quezette Stakes after being posted wide throughout from barrier eight of 10.

"It was a big effort. We knew it was going to be a little bit tricky from wide but to finish off as well as she did after having not a lot of luck early was very promising," Eden said.

Eden has no concerns about Novel Dancer racing the colts and geldings on Saturday at Caulfield and says the 1200m event fits in her program heading towards the Group One Thousand Guineas in October.

"She's certainly not screwed down for Saturday but she will run well," Eden said.

"She pulled up really well after the Quezette. Her work has been really good so with a drop in weight to the boys and a better barrier, she'll run well."

Novel Dancer was at $4.60 with TAB fixed odds on Friday ahead of Vain Stakes runner-up Stingray and the Chivalry at $6.50 and Awesome Rock at $7.50.