A last-to-first win has confirmed David Hayes' opinion of Thousand Guineas hopeful Afleet Esprit.

Backing up after a recent Moonee Valley win with her first stakes victory in Saturday's Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes at Flemington, Afleet Esprit narrowly defeated another up-and-comer in Lumosty in the 1100-metre race.

Afleet Esprit ($10) and the resuming Lumosty ($10) both finished strongly from the back and were separated by only a short half head with 2-3/4 lengths back to Sabatini ($5.50) third.

Hayes said Afleet Esprit had shown plenty of quality and was thrilled to see her produce it at the races with a burst of acceleration.

"We've seen it in trackwork a bit but I thought that was really exciting today against a good quality field of fillies," Hayes said.

"Obviously the runner-up is pretty good too because it kicked back with her.

"She's just got a great turn of foot and she's heading towards the (Thousand) Guineas if she pulls up well, probably via the Prelude."

The Hayes-trained Irish Lights won an 1100-metre Flemington fillies race in September 2009 before adding the Guineas Prelude and Thousand Guineas.

"I don't think Irish Lights' win was much better than that," Hayes said.

Craig Williams said Lumosty, who placed in both the Blue Diamond fillies Preview and Prelude in her only two starts last season, had plenty of natural improvement.

"She's an exciting filly for the spring," Williams said.