Calvin McEvoy knows Saturday’s $150,000 Geelong Diamond represents a significant step up from Moana Spirit’s debut, but the challenge is precisely why the race appeals.

The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, who trains alongside his father Tony McEvoy, is keen to test the daughter of Tagaloa in a race that has quickly earned a reputation as a launchpad for quality juveniles.

Moana Spirit is one of four runners in the 1100-metre feature to arrive with a perfect one-from-one record, and McEvoy is eager to see how the Yulong-bred filly stacks up against stronger opposition.

“It’s the time of the year that a lot of the horses that maybe missed the spring features are up and going now and I think she’s got a bright future, so I’m looking forward to seeing her in this race,” McEvoy said.

The Geelong Diamond has already proven its worth as a form reference, with Cherish Me winning last year’s edition before starting second favourite in the Blue Diamond, while inaugural winner Stay Focused later finished as the leading colt in the Blue Diamond won by Hayasugi.

The McEvoys settled on the Geelong Diamond as Moana Spirit’s second run following her two-length win in a three-horse race at Morphettville on December 6, where heavily backed favourite Inhabit was forced out of the contest with an issue.

Since then, the filly has further strengthened her credentials with an impressive 800m Flemington jumpout.

“She went to Adelaide as a raw filly and won, albeit when the favourite had heart arrythmia, but still won really well and she’s taken a lot of improvement from that experience,” McEvoy said.

“She had a very nice trial in between and I think she’s in with a nice chance.”

Rochelle Milnes partnered Moana Spirit to victory on debut, but Luke Currie will take the reins at Geelong, where the filly is a firm second elect behind the Ciaron Maher-trained Ghana’s Akan.

Markets for the Geelong Diamond are available via the Australian betting sites list.