Miss Ostend has returned from a 12-week break and a nine-length trial win, finishing ninth after being accepted as as fourth emergency in the Highway Class Three Plate at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The two-year-old filly was accepted in both Saturday's Highway and Sunday's Federal, with trainer Gardner saying "the Highway is the obvious option given the amount of prize money at stake".

The call to launch a Magic Millions ambition in Randwick as opposed to Sunday's Federal at Thoroughbred Park, slated for 5pm, can ignite the hopes of other locals.

It means Luke Pepper's Affinity Beyond, regarded as one of the fastest mares in the region, as well as Matthew Dale-trained duo Calescent and Golden Gorge have emerged as some of the strongest contenders.

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Gardner had been bullish about his filly's chances first up, initially expecting Miss Ostend would feature in Canberra as opposed to Sydney due to her standing as fourth emergency.

"She couldn't be better here," Gardner said.

"She's a City class horse already and she has improved two or three lengths on her last preparation.

"We're looking to bolster her prize money with the intention of getting her into a race on the Gold Coast at the Magic Millions, most likely the Fillies and Mares [1300m] race."

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