Trainer Archie Alexander had all but given up hope when the three-year-old was slowly away, but the $6.50 chance produced a strong run from back in the field to salute, running down Black Sail ($11) and Vin De Dance ($16).

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While Temple of Bel is a daughter of champion sprinter Bel Esprit, Alexander said the filly’s pedigree had staying blood in it, with her grand dam being Caulfield Cup runner-up Lisa’s Game and her half brother being promising stayer Wheal Leisure.

“She’s in the Oaks,” Alexander said. “She will get over a distance, so I think there is a bit of stamina there. After a furlong (Wednesday), I thought, ‘I am just going to go home’, she was so slowly away. The first couple of furlongs, I thought something was amiss.

“But ... on the bend, I thought she was a good chance.”

*****

POPULAR sprinter Rich Charm will head to the Group Tab.com.au Stakes at Flemington after providing her emotional trainer Udyta Clarke with yet another big highlight.

Clarke said the five-year-old gelding, one of the few horses in the stable, was like a member of the family after winning his seventh race from 15 starts and taking his prizemoney through the half-million-dollar bracket.

“He’s a fast horse, he’s done it again today,” the Cranbourne trainer said breathlessly after running down Keen Array. “He is such a good horse.”

Rich Charm’s win narrowly prevented Keen Array from scoring a third successive win on Blue Sapphire Stakes Day.

*****

QUILATE, a five-year-old mare from an unraced stallion out of an unraced dam, guaranteed her breeding barn future, storming home to win the Group 3 Ladies’ Day Vase.

The Mick Kent-trained mare, who started $41, could head to the Tesio Stakes (1600m) on Cox Plate day, after diving late to shade out Flying Jess ($4.40), with Prompt Response ($3.90) in third place

“We set her for the race a long time ago,” Kent said. “This was the target for us. She has just got better as she has got older. We may go to that Moonee Valley race, that’s probably the right fit, I think. I’m not sure we will go to the Myer (Classic), she is a level under.”

*****

DAVID Hayes has his sights set on next year’s Melbourne Cup with former New Zealand stayer Sin To Win the winner of the opening race, the Ladbroke’s Up For The Challenge Handicap (2400m.) at Caulfield.

“He might have his next start in The Lexus Stakes at Flemington and then we’ll look at the Sandown Classic or Cup,” Hayes said.

Hayes said he resisted the temptation of putting Sin To Win in this year’s Melbourne Cup as he wouldn’t be ready.

Hayes paid tribute to the geldings tenacity to fight back and win saying that’s becoming a trait of the horse. He also said Kerrin McEvoy’s ride was integral to the horse winning.

*****

Adelaide trainer Will Clarken’s golden run with former Sydney galloper Steel Frost continued when he made it four wins from four starts since joining the stable when he won over 1400m at Caulfield.

Clarken got a bloodstock agent to source a tried horse from Sydney and he selected Steel Frost.

Clarken was initially going to take a large portion of the ownership but instead directed stable clients into Steel Frost rather than go into a yearling.

Although Steel Frost has won his last two starts at Caulfield, he believes he will be better on a bigger track and is looking at starting him in the Sale Cup (1600m) on October 29.