He has only trained her for one start but Kris Lees has wasted no time figuring out the key to bonny mare Emotional Circus.

"She's strong late but she needs luck in the run," Lees said.

Lees is hoping the four-year-old gets conditions to suit when she chases her first black-type win in the Group Three Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Formerly prepared by Jason Coyle, Emotional Circus made her debut for Lees with a typically fast-finishing fourth to Didntcostalot over 1100m at Warwick Farm earlier this month.

"It was a very good run in an on-pace dominated race," Lees said.

"She is probably one of five or six chances in the race on Saturday."

Betting suggests Lees' assessment is spot on with half the 14-horse field at single-figure odds.

Former Victorian Soft Sand, who will be making her debut for trainer Paul Messara, is the $5 TAB fixed odds favourite, ahead of last-start winner Arinosa ($6.50) for Chris Waller.

The latter's stablemate Catkins is third pick at $7 after being scratched from the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) due to an awkward draw.

Emotional Circus is being kept safe at $9.