Miss Stellabelle stars in Champagne

Mark Kavanagh's outstanding run with his three-year-old fillies continued at Moonee Valley when Miss Stellabelle scored a brilliant win in the Group Three Champagne Stakes (1200m).

Last through the early and middle stages of the race, Miss Stellabelle produced a powerful finishing burst in the straight to reel in Platelet. So fast was the daughter of Dehere finishing that at the post she raced clear to her rivals to win by a widening length and a half margin.

The win was the second consecutive success for Miss Stellabelle following her impressive Bendigo maiden victory on September 21.

"I said before to race to Ollie - that I don't think they're making much ground tonight so perhaps you should be handy," Kavanagh said.

"But he said - no I'm not going forward - so it was a waste of time telling him anything, but he knows more than me - so full marks he rode it a treat."

Kavanagh said Miss Stellabelle was developing nicely and she would most like have one more run before he will reassess her future.

"We won't over do her. She's jumped from a maiden to a Group Three - only good horses to do that. We'll keep in mind there is plenty in the tank for the autumn."

Miss Stellabelle is a three quarter sister to the five time group winning sprinter Here De Angels - a one time Kavanagh prepared star.

Meanwhile, Kavanagh made it a double at the Valley when his flying sprinter Definitely Ready scored a high class win in the first heat of the 55 Second Challenge.

Despite being gassed early by Canberra visitor Zaratone, Definitely Ready was still able to hold off his rivals under the urgings of stable rider Michael Rodd.

Definitely Ready, now an earner of over $220,000, was purchased by Kavanagh form the draft of Mill Park for $140,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.