Two-year-old Miss Freelove impressed with a professional display at Canterbury on Wednesday, and her trainer Peter Snowden is optimistic about her future potential.

Rated perfectly by Kerrin McEvoy, the filly led throughout the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m) and kicked clear at the top of the straight to win by more than two lengths from Beechworth.

“Watching the race, coming to the corner I thought, if she doesn’t find something here we’re in a little bit of trouble because she had such a soft lead,” Snowden said. “She quickened nicely and Kerrin rode her and rated her well.”

McEvoy noted Miss Freelove’s improvement from her debut third at Warwick Farm, especially in the heavy going.

“Last time she hit the front and wandered a little bit. But today she was much better in that regard and she did enjoy that ground,” McEvoy said.

Snowden said the filly is still learning but improving each run and praised the influence of her sire Tassort.

“I have always liked her. She is by a great stallion doing a great job,” he said. “Where she goes next will depend on how she comes through, but there’s more to come.”

In the following race, Big Red Tequila stormed home from the rear to take out the Drinkwise Plate (1100m), validating trainer Joe Pride’s decision to bring her to town after a luckless third at Wyong.

“She made a mess of the start but closed off really well so I wasn’t afraid to run her in the city,” Pride said.

“She may have looked better because of the ground, she’s a light filly who handles the wet. But it was a promising effort.”

While Pride is yet to lock in future plans, he believes Big Red Tequila is a filly with natural ability and upside.

“She’s got a lot of improvement in her. It was a good result and I think she’s headed in the right direction,” he said.