Billie Frechette was heavily backed to win the $15,000 race on the back of her unlucky first start for Maher at Kyneton last month.

“She had two starts in New Zealand before we got her,” Maher said.

“Her first-up run for us at Kyneton was a huge effort. I was very confident she could win today,

“Billie Frechette is a really nice type of filly. She will be better suited to races over more ground. I reckon she will run out a strong 2000 metres once she puts it all together.”

The New Zealand-bred filly was hard ridden from the barriers by jockey Michelle Payne and was never headed before defeating Overtake and Consiello in the 1400-metre race.

Payne described Billie Frechette as a work in progress.

“We’re trying to teach her to settle in her races,” Payne said.

“She’s just learning how to race. She shied at something at the 600-metre mark but she just toyed with them today.

“I think she’s got a really bright future. 

“I think she will develop into a very handy distance filly.”

In-form Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde shared the training honours with Darren Weir on the eight-race program. 

Both trainers had two winners while Payne and fellow jockey Dean Yendall also had doubles.