The best won’t be seen of the regally-bred filly Heart Of The Ocean until next year, according to trainer Stephen Marsh.
The high-priced Cambridge Stud graduate opened her winning account at Te Teko and is still very much a work in progress.
“She’s a filly I have always thought a lot of and there’s plenty of improvement to come,” Marsh said.
“I’ll be careful with her and in the autumn I think you’ll see a serious horse.”
Placed in her first two outings, overcame greenness to breakthrough over 1400 metres in the hands of Danielle Johnson.
Heart Of The Ocean settled midfield and came with a sustained run for a clear-cut victory.
“She’s beautifully bred and still does a bit wrong,” Marsh said.
“I’m really happy to get such a nice filly for the China Horse Club.”
They paid $975,000 at Karaka for the daughter of Tavistock and the Zabeel mare Special Diamond.
Heart Of The Ocean is a grand-daughter of the Gr.1 Railway Handicap winner Diamond Lover and the legendary Eight Carat family.