The Rapid Racing program at Flemington may have unearthed another smart sprinter following the debut win of Madame Du Gast.
At the corresponding meeting last year, Oxley Road scored a debut win in maiden grade before going on to win at stakes level at his second start.
Oxley Road went on to win the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint last spring and is back in work preparing for an autumn campaign.
Madame Du Gast still has a way to go to measure up to that level after her debut win in the Eynesbury Golf Plate (1000m) on Friday.
Ridden by apprentice Matthew Cartwright, Madame Du Gast scored a three-quarter length win from the heavily backed favourite Elite Icon with Silly Salmon the same margin away third.
Trainer Trevor Rogers thanked Zac Spain for the work he had done on educating Madame Du Gast who was forced to watch from home as he was not a part of the Rapid Racing Program which pitted the leading metropolitan jockeys against the leaders on the country premiership over seven races.
“I’d like to thank Zac Spain,” Rogers said.
“He’s done a hell of a lot of work in educating her and he was very confident about her chances today, it’s just a pity he wasn’t involved in the series.
“The young fella had a good conversation with Zac this morning and Zac filled him in a lot about the filly and he rode her exactly how we wanted.”
Spain gave Rogers a glowing report after her first jump-out, telling the trainer Madame Du Gast was something special.
“And there is plenty of improvement to come,” Rogers said.
“That was her first race. She was travelling with her head on the side and she was not sure what she had to do, while in herself, she’s still a baby at home.
“It was good to get the win today and we’ll let her tell us where we go.”