The New Zealand mare was fifth at Newcastle on her Australian debut on December 27 but she has since won twice at Tamworth and again at Penrith on January 21.

The four-year-old looks well placed from gate four in the up to 65 rating 2030-metre race to open the Newcastle program after a solid trial at the track on February 3.

She finished just 4.1m behind the Roy Roots jnr-trained The Black Prince, which was warming up with a 1:55:7 run for a potential shot at the Newcastle Mile on February 19. Formosa is aiming Ruby Baby at a Menangle Country Series heat the following week.

"She trialled well last week," Formosa said.

"She ran second to The Black Prince. He wasn't fully extended but she stuck with him pretty good.

"There's a heat and finals series coming up and she hasn't raced for three weeks, so it's just a lead-up race.

"If she's pushed, she can run time. She went 56 at Penrith so if she had to, she could probably run 53 at Newcastle.

"She should go OK and she deserves to be favourite off her form."

Formosa hoped to race Ruby Baby and Military Man in Inter City Pace heats at Maitland on March 29 but the series is now for 55-65 rated pacers, rather than 60-70.

He said Ruby Baby (61) was unlikely to head that way but Military Man (56) would be held back for the series.