Trainer Peter Snowden has hopes that impressive Flemington debut winner Applegate can develop into a contender for next year’s Blue Diamond Stakes.

Applegate (2f Exceed And Excel – Klamath Falls by Storm Cat) settled just off the speed and came with a brilliant burst to score in a photo-finish in Tuesday’s Listed Emirates Airlines Plate (1000m) at Flemington.

The only filly to break 12 seconds for the last 200 metres, Applegate beat Snitzerland by a half-head while Adelaide debut winner Alezan Thunder was another length away third.

Snowden, who trained champion Sepoy to win the Blue Diamond-Golden Slipper double earlier this year, said Applegate had always shown ability.  “She won a trial at Randwick and also had a jump-out here as well so she was quite forward for this race.

“We never thought she would here this early but she is very competitive in her work and always there with my best ones, sticking her head out and trying as hard as anything else.”

A Darley homebred, Applegate is a daughter of Exceed And Excel and a half-sister to good middle distance performer Yulalona who is a Listed Dulcify Handicap winner.

“I liked the way she attacked the line to win,” jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.  “She travelled nice and kind and hit the line full of running.”

Snowden said Applegate would now have a break and come back early next year for a Blue Diamond Prelude.