Residual fitness played a major part in Crown Witness holding out Catchy at the finish of Saturday's Group III Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
The Blue Diamond Stakes winner was racing first-up since finishing last in the Golden Slipper Stakes in April while Crown Witness had won both her starts this preparation, defeating Lindsay Park Racing-trained fillies both times.
Trainer Stuart Webb could see the funny side after Crown Witness ($6 - $3.80) raced in second place under Ben Melham to the home turn and then held off the late challenge of Catchy ($2.30 fav) by a head with Ploverset ($13) a further 2 1/4-lengths away third.
"I think David Hayes will be sick of the sight of her - her three wins have all been over fillies of his," Webb said.
"I thought she did a fantastic job to stick her head out and beat a quality filly like Catchy.
"I thought Catchy had us cold in the straight but she's a tenacious filly and it's a big thrill to win a race like this."
Webb said he is undecided whether to push on into the spring with the daughter of Star Witness.
"I'm not sure where we'll go, I'm mindful she's in her first preparation and she's one we've had to back off a few times and then start again," Webb said.
"We'll see how she is this week and then we'll take it from there.
"She's got a brain and is nice and relaxed so she might get to 1400m but I do think we've got a filly that will be better in the autumn - she's just a really good filly."
Melham said the race went according to plan.
"She had an easy run on the speed and she did a real good job, she was real game to the line," Melham said.
"At this distance today and with one to chase she settled nice but I'll leave it to the experts to decide if she'll stretch out over further."
David Hayes was far from disappointed with the effort of Catchy.
"She is still a bit wintery and has a fair bit of improvement in her," Hayes said.
"The winner is obviously a smart filly but I thought Catchy and Ploverset both ran very well and will improve."
