Caulfield’s Henry Dwyer is setting a tough early autumn sprint assignment for his smart mare Snitty Kitty who will take on some of the best in the business in next month’s Oakleigh Plate 2018.

The four-year-old daughter of Snitzel was last seen taking her career record up to six wins from 11 starts with a brilliant 2.25 length success sin the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) back in October.

That was her third win on the trot and Dwyer is hoping for another consistent season for his up-and-comer this Melbourne Festival of Racing.

Avoiding the riches in Sydney this autumn and keeping Snitty Kitty to the left-handed way of racing, Dwyer confirmed plans to head towards the Group 1 $500,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Day on February 24.

Snitty Kitty was eye-catching in her Tuesday morning hit-out when finishing second to the highly-spruiked Mick Price-trained Kiwi expat Ardrossan who also has the 2018 Oakleigh Plate in sight.

“All signs are very positive. Every preparation we’ve had with her she’s improved a little bit,” Dwyer told Racing Victoria on Tuesday.

“I would’ve expected her to do the same this preparation, which if she improves on what she has done, she’ll be pretty handy because she was pretty dynamic last prep, she’s a fast mare, she’s pretty tricky to place.

“I don’t think she can get six furlongs at this stage, she’s limited to 1000m-1100m. She’s limited to this way of going, so that counts out Sydney and Brisbane.

“She needs to be looked after a bit and not over-raced because she’s not the best-legged mare.

“She trialled terrific this morning, she was just out for a soft one, Tom Sadler rode her, just cruised up the hill on her, had plenty in the tank. They ran good time.

“She’s going to go in underdone first-up.”

That first-up run is likely to be Saturday week’s Listed $120,000 W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m).

“We’re probably going to the W.J. Adams Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week, which is a good kick-off for her, and the obvious target is the Oakleigh Plate,” Dwyer said.

Mares have an excellent recent record in the Oakleigh Plate winning three of the past five editions with: Mrs Onassis (2013), Shamal Wind (2015) and Sheidel (2017) all beating home the boys as five-year-olds.

Shamal Wind three years ago was also the last horse to do the WJ Adams Stakes – Oakleigh Plate double that Snitty Kitty is vying for this season.

All-in Oakleigh Plate betting is currently led by gun Nicconi three-year-old Nature Strip who took his record to four wins from five starts saluting in last Saturday’s Inglis Dash (1100m) at Flemington.

The bookies are also taking no chances with other likely Oakleigh Plate contender She Will Reign, the Golden Slipper Stakes winning filly likely to resume in Sydney’s Inglis Sprint (1100m) at Warwick Farm on February 10 before the Group 1 target in Melbourne.

For all the best early autumn racing odds and offers head to Ladbrokes.com.au.