Golden Slipper winner Marhoona has stepped out for the first time since her famous Randwick triumph, impressing with a strong trial win at Hawkesbury on Monday morning.

The daughter of Snitzel, raced by Emirates Park, held out a quality field of sprinters to score by half a length over Headwall in the 800m hitout. Shangri La Spring, Jedibeel and Ostraka followed, with trainer Michael Freedman pleased by her return. “It was a nice trial, she looks to have come back in good order and she pulled up nice and clean after it,” Freedman said.

Ridden by Keegan Latham, Marhoona settled just off the speed before railing through on the turn and finishing off strongly under light urging. Freedman said the gallop was important given she is likely to head straight to the races off the one trial. “I wanted her to finish it off without coasting to the line, so Keegan just kept her mind on the job a little bit and they ran very quick time,” he said.

Her first-up options include the $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 6, or Sydney assignments such as the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) or the $300,000 Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) for fillies. Stablemate Apocalyptic, a promising daughter of Extreme Choice, also trialled in the same heat and finished sixth, with Freedman encouraged by her performance against seasoned rivals.

Other big names also trialled at Hawkesbury, including Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker who won his 1000m heat, while Melbourne Cup hopefuls Sir Delius and Vauban, from the Waterhouse-Bott stable, took out their 1250m workouts.

Punters can follow Marhoona’s spring return in the Moir Stakes or Sydney alternatives, with odds available at Australia’s top betting sites.