Victorian trainer John McArdle will be hoping lightning can strike twice when he starts Absolute Faith in the Vinery Stud Storm Queen Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.McArdle won the Group One 2000m feature - then known as the Arrowfield Stud Stakes - with Hollow Bullet five years ago.Absolute Faith may not have the same credentials - Hollow Bullet came to Sydney a proven Group One performer having won the VRC Oaks the previous spring - but McArdle is adamant she has her share of ability.The filly

Victorian trainer John McArdle will be hoping lightning can strike twice when he starts Absolute Faith in the Vinery Stud Storm Queen Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

McArdle won the Group One 2000m feature - then known as the Arrowfield Stud Stakes - with Hollow Bullet five years ago.

Absolute Faith may not have the same credentials - Hollow Bullet came to Sydney a proven Group One performer having won the VRC Oaks the previous spring - but McArdle is adamant she has her share of ability.

The filly was second to Victoria Derby placegetter Extra Zero at Caulfield two starts ago then settled a long way back in the Australasian Oaks before running on for seventh to Small Minds.

McArdle says a better draw on Saturday will enable Absolute Faith to be ridden more positively.

"She had a bad gate last time and was unknown at 2000 metres so we rode her a bit conservatively," McArdle said.

"From barrier four she should be able to jump and be ridden to suit the tempo of the race."

The Storm Queen is a traditional lead-up to the AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) run at Randwick two weeks later and the top five fillies in Oaks betting will all clash on Saturday.

Heading the charge are Faint Perfume and Valdemoro, first and second in the VRC Oaks, along with Run For Naara and Set For Fame who were placed in the Rosehill and Australian Guineas respectively.

The Australasian Oaks quinella of Small Minds and No Evidence Needed will also tackle the Storm Queen in what McArdle sees as an open race.

"Class-wise she's as good as any of the fillies from Melbourne," he said.

"It looks an even race.

"There is different form from different areas and she deserves her chance. They're only three once."

The Storm Queen will be new territory for Absolute Faith who has not raced in the Sydney direction nor been on a track worse than dead.

McArdle was in Sydney on Tuesday morning to watch her work on the course proper at Warwick Farm and said she appeared to handle both the track and conditions well.

"She seemed to get around on it and handle it but we'll find out on race day," he said.

"She's from Victoria so she's never seen rain. It's a complete unknown."