Katherine Coleman is not yet ready to forget the pain of the Mornington Guineas, but Mary Eliza’s performance at Caulfield on Saturday helped ease the sting.

The Waikato Stud-bred filly made a strong recovery, winning the GMH Fire & Safety Australia Handicap (1600m). After a disappointing seventh placing at Mornington when well-backed, Mary Eliza, with Luke Cartwright aboard, settled in a forward position and responded with an impressive win at $2.60.

“We said before the race if she begins well and can settle in a good spot, it’ll make things a lot easier,” Coleman said. “After the way things panned out at Mornington, it was very pleasing to see her settle outside the leader.”

Mary Eliza held off the fast-finishing I Only Wish ($41) to win by half a length, with Muirfield ($18) in third.

The win was Mary Eliza’s second from five starts, with Coleman and co-trainer Peter Moody now looking forward to future prospects, particularly in Queensland. “She’s a filly we’ve always had a good opinion of, but she’s still a little bit babyish and light,” Coleman said. “Whatever she does this preparation, she’s going to improve upon.”

Mary Eliza’s victory was the second Caulfield win for her sire, Super Seth, who also had success earlier in the day with Madiyya.