Craig Williams is predicting a bright future for Wanted Diva after the filly overcame a mid-race slowdown to win Saturday's Dominant Cleaning Solutions Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Settled in fourth place with cover, Wanted Diva was inclined to over race when the leader Bobby Socks slowed before halfway.
Williams allowed Wanted Diva ($4.80) to stride forward and share the lead three deep around the turn and then go clear, ridden out to hold the late flourish from Behave ($5.50) to score by a short half-head with Wired ($4 fav) two lengths away in third.
Williams said the Lindsay Park Racing-trained two-year-old impressed him with her ability to accelerate.
"The part I liked about her win was that she got into a nice position and then when they went slow she came back underneath me and relaxed," Williams said.
"When I asked her to go off the turn her response was very sharp and she quickened again.
"She made it look tough but she was waiting for them to come to her."
Wanted Diva has won two of her three starts and Williams said the granddaughter of three-time Group I winner Canny Lass has plenty of scope for further improvement.
"She'll improve physically and she still has to grow up a bit mentally," Williams said.
"I think whatever she's done now is a bonus and she'll come back more seasoned and there's a lot more to come with her."
