The David Greene-trained filly is the second favourite for the One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton tomorrow, and could cap off a meteoric rise with victory in the group 1 classic.
Greene (33), who trains from Te Rapa in Hamilton, has taken an unconventional path towards the early season 3yr-old fillies' feature, opting to place her in the grades rather than take on her age-group rivals.
''She hasn't run against any of these horses before but, in saying that, she is proven at the mile and she's run some very slick times,'' Greene said.
''When you compare the times she's run, up against most of the others, she comes up very favourably there.''
If you had asked Greene nine months ago whether Dramatist would be lining up in a group 1 race - his first as a trainer - he would not have considered it likely.
''It wasn't because she showed nothing but she was such a heavy-set, stocky little thing nine months ago,'' he said.
''It would have been unrealistic to expect her to come on and develop as fast as she has. She's really come on in the last couple of months and improved out of sight.''
Part of Greene's problem when trying to get Dramatist fit is her ample appetite.
''She's such a guts. It's been difficult getting the weight off her,'' he said.
''We've rationed her feed a bit, and the longer she's been in the stable, she's started to drop the weight she was carrying. She's really started to furnish into a proper horse.''
The connections put in a late nomination only after the Librettist filly won a rating 65 fillies and mares race at Otaki on October 18, which then led to Greene seeking an ideal lead-up race.
He settled on a Pearl series race at Motukarara on November 2, where Dramatist thrashed her rating 75 rivals by 3 lengths with tomorrow's jockey, Leith Innes, steering her for the first time.
''That's going to be a big plus for us on Saturday - that he's had a ride on her and knows what she's about now.''
Dramatist has drawn 10, with favourite O'Marilyn jumping from the inside barrier, but Greene expects his filly to be prominent early anyway.
''I guess O'Marilyn is going to get a sweet trip regardless of what happens, but from a wide draw, the way she has raced in her past three, we'll be rolling forward.
''If no-one is determined on leading, we'll take up the running and make a genuine contest out of it.''
Green has enjoyed success with gallopers such as High Kin, Zabisco and, more recently, Beauty's Beast, and is coping well with the extra media attention this week.
''It's a nice problem to have with a fancied runner in a group 1, I suppose,'' he said.
''It's been exciting for the whole stable when you get a decent horse and go for these races. These are the ones that everyone dreams about winning, so it motivates all the team.''
