Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily will ramp up her preparation towards the feature autumn sprints when she trials on Friday.Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, the star filly hasn't raced for five months but is progressing well towards her autumn Group One assignments next month in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington and the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.Zahra said Crystal Lily had shrugged off the injury concerns that limited her to two runs in the spring and had derived e

Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily will ramp up her preparation towards the feature autumn sprints when she trials on Friday.

Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, the star filly hasn't raced for five months but is progressing well towards her autumn Group One assignments next month in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington and the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.

Zahra said Crystal Lily had shrugged off the injury concerns that limited her to two runs in the spring and had derived enormous benefit from the extended break.

"She put on around 80 kilograms in the break and is in great order," Zahra said.

He said her demeanour around the stable indicated she was back on track.

"She is raring and carrying on and licking out the bin every day, Zahra said.

"She seems like the Crystal Lily of old."

A winner of four of nine starts, Crystal Lily stamped her class with her victory over Decision Time and More Strawberries in the Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 3.

Expectations were high for her in the spring but after an encouraging second to Panipique in the Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 14 she was the victim of interference in the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on August 28 and finished 11th to Toorak Toff.

As a result of the buffeting she suffered back and hock soreness and was immediately spelled.

The Lightning Stakes is on February 19 and the Oakleigh Plate a week later.

Unbeaten mare Black Caviar is also likely to contest the Lightning Stakes before progressing to the Newmarket Handicap on March 12.

Trainer Peter Moody will then look at the options which include the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick in Sydney and one or more of the rich sprint races over the Brisbane winter carnival.