Tomato Toastie proved her grit and potential at Randwick, securing back-to-back victories for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with a tough win in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m).

Despite plans for a spell after her last-start maiden win, the two-year-old pulled up so well that the stable opted to keep her in work for one more race before looking ahead to the autumn.

“We originally wanted to tip her out, but she bounced back exceptionally well and we felt it was worth giving her another chance while she was thriving,” Bott explained.

The $4.80 chance tracked the speed and pounced in the straight, narrowly fending off favourite Crossbow ($2.70 betting fav), who was held up for clear running, to win by a short half-head. Kokatahi ($8.50) was third, 1-1/2 lengths away.

Bott said her professionalism and ability to handle the quick turnaround were testament to her toughness.

“That was a strong effort from a young filly on the back-up. She’s not overly big, but she has loads of improvement to come,” he said.

Regan Bayliss, who partnered Tomato Toastie, said the filly was only going to get better with time.

“She’s handled everything we’ve thrown at her. She’s got heart, she’s learning fast, and she’s showing that she wants to be a racehorse,” Bayliss said.

Punters keeping an eye on rising talent like Tomato Toastie can follow the latest odds at top betting sites.