Trainer Peter Moody is in Queensland inspecting yearlings but that didn't stop him giving jockey Chad Schofield a confidence-boosting telephone call about the Flemington chances of Spirits Dance.

The champion apprentice backed up Moody's faith in the filly by winning Melbourne's first race for 2014, belying her $21 starting price in the New Year Handicap (1200m).

Schofield took the call from Moody on the way to the track, giving him the heads-up on Spirits Dance.

"He said she was working well above what her form suggested," Schofield said.

Schofield positioned Spirits Dance behind $3 favourite Mokoro, who finished ninth, ran home strongly to beat Cobblestones ($12) by three-quarters of a length.

"She's just starting to put it all together," Schofield said.

"She's a big strong filly and is going to win a few more races."

The Greg Eurell-trained Paddy's Gem ($9.50), who defeated Black Caviar's half-sister Belle Couture last start, was a nose away third.

Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor said they had as much confidence in Spirits Dance as the other stable runners in the race and said she had grown physically and mentally since she won as a two-year-old.

"Her work at home had been first rate coming into this race," O'Connor said.

"We did give her a chance as a two-year-old when she won a race but still she was never quite there.

"So maybe it's a bit of everything - mentally and physically maturing."