By Mathew Toogood

SYDNEY, Aug 27 AAP - A wide barrier and topweight of 59 kilograms are not a concern for a bigger, stronger More Joyous when she makes her race return at Rosehill.

That's the opinion of trainer Gai Waterhouse who said the Group One winner had "totally transformed" from the filly she was training in previous preparations.

"You couldn't put the two horses together, I've got a completely different mare now," Waterhouse said.

More Joyous is the $2.30 favourite for Saturday's Listed Sheraco Stakes (1100m) where she'll jump from barrier 11 with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.

It will be the mare's first step towards the Group One Epsom Handicap and Cox Plate this spring.

"I'm over the moon with her, she'll win this race (on Saturday)," Waterhouse said.

"She has made the weight for age improvement which is always a question with horses.

"She has developed over the neck and shoulders - you wouldn't know her.

"She was always a little bit fragile and a little bit weak before, you'd give her one run or two and then have to turn her out. Not now.

"She is tough as teak and has the most sensational cruising speed."

More Joyous hasn't been seen on race day since March 6 at Warwick Farm when she was forced to fight to defeat Hurtle Myrtle in the Group Two Surround Stakes (1400m).

That took More Joyous' record to six wins from nine starts.

The daughter of More Than Ready has won her past four starts, stretching across two preparations.

Her last defeat came in the Sheraco Stakes 12 months ago when she finished third to Madame Pedrille as a three-year-old.

Seeking Attention finished second in the race last year and will line up against More Joyous again on Saturday.

More Joyous signalled she was on target for her first-up assignment with a brilliant barrier trial victory over 850m at Randwick earlier this month.

Waterhouse elected to send More Joyous to the races instead of trialling her a second time.

"She's only had one trial so the 1100 metres is probably the right distance for her at this time," Waterhouse said.