Despite being off the scene since January, Bel Esprit flyer Clevadude showed the promise of spring glory with a resounding win at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Lining up in the Sweeney Can Do Agents Hcp (1000m), the Rick Hore-Lacy trained gelding travelled fluently in front to defeat odds-on Kiwi favourite Cauthen and the Peter Moody trained Weinholt.

A one-time Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite following blistering wins at Cranbourne and Moonee Valley last December, he drew the car park on the Gold Coast and then a bout of heat stress saw him finish near last.

“I never lost faith,” Hore-Lacy said.  “He didn’t lose a leg or anything and he showed today he’s still the horse he was in the spring.”

Clevadude (3g Bel Esprit – Jezeera by Jetball) headed the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions Summer Session when knocked down for $225,000.  Hore-Lacy will formulate spring plans if he wins the G3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield in two weeks.  The wish-list is topped by the G1 Caulfield Guineas or G1 Coolmore Stakes.

Eliza Park International sire Bel Esprit set across-the-board records during 2012-13.  Forever credited with world champion mare Black Caviar, he finished the year with Australian figures of 155 winners to equal the previous record set by Commands in 2010-11.

They won 249 races and $7.36 million.  Bel Esprit’s first runners appeared in 2006-07 and he has been Victoria’s leading sire by earnings and winners in each of the past five years.  He stands the 2013 season at $33,000 (inc gst).