Trainer Robbie Griffiths wasn't disappointed when Down The Hatch was passed in at a yearling sale because it led Saturday's Moonee Valley winner to his Cranbourne stables.

Down The Hatch was retained by her breeder Kevin Wacey after being passed in for $39,000 at a Melbourne yearling sale last year.

"I really liked her as a foal and Kevin said to me if he didn't sell her, I could train her," Griffiths said.

"So I was sort of happy that she was passed in. True to his word he sent her to me to be trained. And here she is."

The three-year-old filly handled her first city test in Saturday's National Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1000m) and will get a shot at claiming valuable black type in the coming weeks.

Down The Hatch was beaten at Donald on debut before recording a maiden win at Sale at the end of June.

Griffiths considered testing Down The Hatch in the Listed Lightning Stakes in Adelaide last Saturday but instead opted to wait for the Moonee Valley race to get a guide on her potential.

With apprentice Josh Cartwright in the saddle, Down The Hatch ($21) began well to sit outside the leader and then responded when challenged in the straight to defeat Afleet Esprit ($9) by three quarters of a length with a half-neck to the fast-finishing favourite Cool Hero ($3.60) third.

The Group Three Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in two weeks looms as a likely next target.

"She's not very big but she is all heart," Griffiths said.

"I think she is definitely a short-course horse and now that she has won today we'll try to pinch some black type in the coming weeks."