Trainer Gai Waterhouse predicts further improvement from her stable star Fiorente after scoring a first up win in the Group 2 $220,000 Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield today.

Fiorente scored first up win in the Peter Young Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Fiorente was having his first run since winning the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington last November and showed that he has returned to the racetrack in tip top order.

“It’s nice for them when they have won a really major race to come back and come back so well,” an excited Waterhouse said.

“He only won the race in the last seventy-five metres, but the way he just strode it out and got into his rhythm, there is plenty more of him to come.”

Fiorente will now head towards the Group 1 $1m Darley Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in two weeks and is certain to take a lot of benefit out of today’s win and will be the one to beat again.

“I think there is a lot more improvement in him,” Waterhouse said.

Damien Oliver, who partnered Fiorente in his Melbourne Cup win, settled the six year old near the tail of the field before starting to make his move approaching the home turn.

The $2.15 favourite circled the field on the point of the turn and just as the leader Star Rolling looked like finding something extra when tackled by Green Moon, Oliver started to lift Fiorente and the import was able to gather in the leaders to score by a head from the $151 chance Mourayan with Star Rolling ($7.50) hanging on for third.

Oliver could only give Fiorente plenty of accolades after his fighting first up win.

“He is the star of the turf, a great horse to ride. It’s what you dream of riding, he just does everything right,” Oliver said.

“He has a great will to win and he pins those ears back.”