Improved filly Spirits Dance wrapped up a winning hat trick with a gutsy performance to take out the Group 3 $135,000 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield today.

Spirits Dance, green colours, sticks her neck out to win the Kevin Hayes Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Peter Moody trained Spirits Dance had won her first two starts this campaign at Flemington and Caulfield before collecting her first black type win in decisive style.

Winning jockey Vlad Duric had Spirits Dance ($6.50) travelling just off the pace and pounced last in the straight to hold off the determined finish of Marianne ($8) and roughie Patricia Dawn ($41).

Moody said that the Statue Of Liberty filly had taken a little while to reach her potential and even though he has no big Autumn plans in place, he thinks she will come back a top quality mare in the Spring.

“She always shown real good ability and I suggested to David (owner David Moodie) pretty much from day one that she was this level of filly, it has just took her a while to come to the party and she finally has her mind in the right spot,” Moody said.

“She is really putting it all together.”

“This campaign I don’t know if there is a lot more left in her, we will have a good deal of fun with her as a mare.”

Craig Williams on $3.60 favourite Bound For Earth eased out in the straight after giving the filly a good trail and after looking a threat at the 250m, ended up finishing in fourth spot.

Damien Oliver on Shamalia rated the filly well in front and after kicking away in the straight and looking hard to run down was gathered in quickly by the first four placegetters in the final fifty metres.