Trainer Tony McEvoy admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the win of Azazel in Saturday's VRC Members' Pavillion Handicap (1000m) at Flemington.
"My one concern was that it might be a bit short for him at this stage in the prep," McEvoy said after Azazel ($5) ran down longtime leader Wait For No One ($5) inside the final 75m off a slow early speed to score going away by three-quarters of a length.
"He'd pleased me in his jumpout here down the straight but he's a bigger, stronger colt this time in and we've got big plans for him.
"The Caulfield Guineas is the race we have in mind but it's a long way away and he will take a lot of improvement from this race today.
"When he gets out to 1400(m) and beyond then I think we will see a good colt."
Azazel won on debut at Moonee Valley and McEvoy said the son of Snitzel will return to the track for his next race in three weeks time.
"We'll go to the Mitchell McKenzie (Stakes) next," McEvoy said. "He's won at the Valley and it's a nice progression to 1200m and a Listed race so it will suit him well."
Jockey Luke Currie said Azazel had matured mentally.
"Tony and the team have done a terrific job with him," Currie said. "He's come back better and stronger - he was a little bit colty last time in but he relaxed really well today.
"Today he showed the work has paid off. He was always travelling and when I asked him to go and put the race away he did it nicely."
Cao Cao ($5) was beaten 1 1/2-lengths into third place, a nose in front of the well-backed Frankel My Dear ($14 - $7.50).
Trainer Robbie Laing said he was delighted with the debut effort of the son of Frankel.
"I wasn't really expecting him to win but he's run as I thought he would, so very happy with the run." Laing said.
