"On her trackwork she wouldn't win a maiden," Purcell revealed yesterday.

"Generally, she runs above expectations.

"I'm hoping, rather than going there chock full of confidence.''

Corningstone will contest a 0-68 rating fillies' and mares' handicap over 1300 metres today after a 28-week spell.

Purcell explained the four-year-old Noverre mare suffered from muscle soreness and couldn't be rushed with her fitness.

"The harder you push her the shakier she gets," he said.

"You sneak her up in distance rather than bore the work into her."

Corningstone found her way to Purcell earlier this year after three unplaced runs for the powerful Mick Price stable. She won first-up in Purcell colours at Terang in a 1400-metre maiden on February 2 after a seven-week freshen, although the trainer didn't expect her to finish in the top five.

After winning her next start at Geelong in a 0-62 rating fillies' and mares' event at Geelong, Corningstone stepped up in distance and rounded off her campaign by running second to Royal Excess on April 15 at Sandown over 2100 metres in a 0-72 rating three-year-old fillies' race.

Purcell said he had no specific goals for Corningstone this preparation other than building strong enough country form to earn a start in a metropolitan restricted mares' race.

"I think she's going equally as good as when she won for me first up last time," he said.

"She's fairly fit and should run a good race.

"She can miss the start. If she jumps and puts herself into the race I expect her to be in the finish."

Purcell has five runners today, including last-start Warracknabeal maiden winner Yokozuna.

Corningstone's main rivals today shape as top weight Lovely Rita, which is dropping back in distance after contesting the Coleraine Cup (1800m), and the Barbara Marshman-trained Our Condoleezza.

The in-form Matthew Williams stable is also represented with Corsa Serale and Michael Moroney saddles up Shylock's Daughter.