Aeliana, the standout filly from the autumn carnival, has returned to work with big ambitions for the spring, including a potential crack at the Cox Plate.

Following her unlucky second in the Rosehill Guineas and dominant win in the Australian Derby, Aeliana has plenty of options on the table as trainer Chris Waller plots her next move.

Denise Martin from Star Thoroughbreds, who purchased the filly, said Aeliana had come back from her spell stronger and more mature.

“Chris has reported that she has returned extremely well. She has strengthened and matured and developed nicely,” Martin said.

“Her spring program is nowhere near finalised but she will most likely barrier trial at the end of July and have a second barrier trial a couple of weeks later.

“Then we will most likely look at a couple of options towards the end of August. The Winx Stakes and the Memsie Stakes.

“But after that there are options such as the Makybe Diva Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.”

Martin said Aeliana’s development has been a joy to watch and she’s confident the filly still has more to offer.

“We were elated because I couldn’t have believed I would have purchased a Derby winner,” Martin said.

“We would normally buy horses that are sprinter-milers or maybe 2000-metre horses.

“I said to Chris (Waller) the Monday after the Derby – the Caulfield Cup? And he said, ‘we’ll see’.

“Wherever he goes with this horse, I’m going.”

The season also included the headline sale of Coolmore Classic winner Espiona, who fetched $4.15 million after being purchased for $190,000 and earning close to $3.3 million in prize money.

“We had a group of her owners together in Sydney watching it happen… It was a great result,” Martin said.

Punters can follow Aeliana’s progress into the spring and find betting markets for her targets on this list of recommended betting sites.