Gerald Ryan hasn't had much time to get to know Keffiya ahead of the Listed Rowley Mile but has been pleased with how the mare has settled into her new home.Keffiya only arrived at Ryan's Sydney stables last Monday week and will have her first start for the trainer in the $100,000 1600m feature at Hawkesbury's showpiece Saturday meeting.The mare is part of a strong seven-horse team for the Rosehill trainer that also includes talented three-year-old Therock in the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) and D

Gerald Ryan hasn't had much time to get to know Keffiya ahead of the Listed Rowley Mile but has been pleased with how the mare has settled into her new home.

Keffiya only arrived at Ryan's Sydney stables last Monday week and will have her first start for the trainer in the $100,000 1600m feature at Hawkesbury's showpiece Saturday meeting.

The mare is part of a strong seven-horse team for the Rosehill trainer that also includes talented three-year-old Therock in the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) and Dances On Waves in the Darley Crown (1300m).

Ahdashim, Ironstein, and two-year-olds Go Amigo and Courgette are the trainer's other runners at Hawkesbury.

Keffiya is a half-sister to triple New Zealand Group One winner Maroofity and came to Ryan with a record of four wins and four placings from her 16 starts across the Tasman.

"It will be interesting, but she's settled in really well," Ryan said.

"I would like to think she will run well but it is a tough race to go into in her first start over here.

"She's stakes-placed in New Zealand and her form over there is not hopeless."

The Listed Scone Cup (1600m) on May 14 is an option for Keffiya if she runs well in the Rowley Mile.

Ryan has pencilled in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) for Therock, who resumes in a strong Hawkesbury Guineas.

Therock was a dominant winner over Guineas rivals Khas Kura and Neeson at Rosehill in October before a leg injury forced him to be spelled.

The Fastnet Rock colt was installed as the $6 third favourite for the Guineas behind Star Of Octagonal ($4.20) and Neeson ($4.60) when markets were released on Thursday.

Ryan said he has plenty of time for the lightly-raced colt who settled back in the field and unleashed a strong turn of foot in both his wins last preparation.

"I'm really looking forward to running him but he's found a tough race first-up and he's probably not going to the right track for him," Ryan said.

"I've got to get him up and running because he's going to the Queensland Guineas."

Danny Nikolic did a lot of early work on Therock when he was based in Sydney and has been booked to ride him on Saturday.

Nikolic is also booked to ride Keffiya, Dances On Waves and Courgette for the trainer.

Dances On Waves returned from 12 months off the scene with a narrow victory in a Benchmark 65 at Newcastle on April 10, carrying 59kg.

The mare got pneumonia after racing at Warwick Farm in March last year and "got really crook", the trainer said.

"She did a terrific job to win first-up but I think she's disadvantaged at the weights with 55 kilos on Saturday," Ryan said.

"It's quite a good field but she's a nice mare and Danny actually gave her a good wrap when he won on her on the Kensington track last year."