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Mileva might be just three weeks away from her sixth birthday, but Phillip Stokes would love to be more confident that he will have the mare for longer than Saturday's $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes.

But, then again, Stokes is just grateful the daughter of Headwater is still in his care.

Stokes was prepared to bid farewell to Mileva, a winner of seven races and $645,000, when she was put through the Inglis Chairman's Sale in early May, but is thankful new owners Kia Ora Stud returned her back to his Pakenham stable.

Kia Ora paid $700,000 for Mileva, with every intention of sending her to stud this year, but is happy to have one final fling at a race she proved last year was well within her hitting zone.

Having already won three Listed events, Mileva recorded her first Group success in last year's 1100-metre Sir John Monash Stakes.

"I would say that she will go to stud this year and this might even be her final race, unless I can twist their arm and find something else," Stokes said.

"The new owners are Kia Ora Stud and it was good of them to send her back to us.

"There is the Bletchingly Stakes two weeks later, but she needs everything right to get the 1200 metres. She just gets it on a good day, so that's why the 1100 metres is perfect, but, unfortunately, there's not many of them around."

Kia Ora is happy to give her the chance to log another Group win before visiting one of their growing stallion band, which includes Golden Slipper winner Farnan, Captivant and Prague.

Mileva is the first foal from Magic Albert mare Lady Einstein, who is out of the Geiger Counter mare Relativity who is also the dam of Second Effort and Diamond Effort.

The latter was a Group 3 winner who was also nosed out in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, while Second Effort had a couple of cracks at the Monash Stakes, her best result a third placing in the 2013 edition won by Pago Rock.

Mileva has not started since finishing runner-up to Kallos in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville on April 22, but has impressed at the jumpouts with Ben Allen to ride from barrier six in the field of 13.

"She jumped out well, Ben Allen rode her and he was rapt in her. Fresh (and) first-up, she should run very well," Stokes said.