The famous red and black colours carried by many of Ross McDonald's former stars were on show with his only runner at Flemington on Thursday, Honey Flower, grabbing a narrow victory in the Listed G H Mumm Stakes.

The filly came into the straight 1100m event with a recent win over Koonoomoo at Geelong with the latter a Group Three winner at the carnival on Tuesday.

Ridden by Glen Boss, Honey Flower ($15) beat Dystopia ($6.50) by just a short half-head with Anise ($14) a neck third.

The last great horse to sport the McDonald colours was champion sprinter-miler Weekend Hussler.

Honey Flower has a way to go to join such illustrious company but as a homebred for McDonald, she holds a special place in the team.

"I bought the mother (Ocran) and sent her to Adelaide where she won ten races at Port Lincoln," McDonald said.

Eight of those 10 wins were over 1000 metres but McDonald is hoping there is more scope to the filly.

"The mare hasn't been very successful at stud but there are a couple more foals now, one by Bianconi and one by Not A Single Doubt.

"I'm not sure what we will do with this filly now but it's great to get a stakes win with her."

For Dystopia, who races in another set of famous colours, the Ingham family's cerise, the result was a disappointment.

"It's heart breaking to come so close," trainer Chris Waller said.

"Hugh Bowman rode her really well but she didn't have a lot of luck. We'll find another race for her."