Uncanny is probably the only way to describe trainer Ron Quinton's affinity with fillies and mares.
Eight of the top 10 career earners to have gone through Quinton's stables are females and include Group I winners Peeping and Ofcourseican.
The Randwick horseman's current arsenal of the fairer sex is led by stakes winners Dixie Blossoms and Daysee Doom.
And at the Randwick trials on Monday, Quinton produced another potential stakes-class female in Devolving, which finished second in a 735m heat under apprentice Andrew Adkins.
Devolving has only been to the races twice for a win and a second, both at midweek level, but the rising three-year-old will likely get the opportunity to earn some valuable black type this spring.
Quinton said he had the spring time earmarked for the filly ever since her maiden win at Warwick Farm in April but will initially take a conservative approach to the upcoming campaign.
"First of all, she'll go to a restricted fillies' race in midweek grade in a fortnight and then see how we go after that," Quinton said.
"She was only having a canter around on Monday but trialled nicely – I'm really happy with her.
"You never know with these fillies. Only time will tell if she can measure up."
In her only win, Devolving ploughed through a heavy (10) track to run the quickest final 600m at the meeting. Dual Group I winner and early favourite for the Epsom Handicap, Egg Tart, was among the winners that day.
While Quinton is buoyant about the future of Devolving, he remains concerned about the programming for young horses climbing through the ranks.
"A terrible amount of horses that have won maidens are finding it very difficult to take that next step because there aren't any suitable races," he said.
"Basically, with the way the races are programmed you have to jump two extra rungs on the ladder so it is difficult, particularly for three-year-old fillies.
"Take Dixie Blossoms for example. She won her first two starts and after that she's had to compete at the top level and she's still only won four races.
"She's run a lot of placings in good races and has plenty of ability so that just shows you how hard it is."
Devolving is the first horse Quinton has trained in the colours of prominent owners Francis and Christine Cook and also the first of Your Song's progeny to enter his stable.
"She's the first Your Song I've had and I think he's started off pretty well that sire," he said.
"I think he's got a good chance of making it."
