Trainer Tony Noonan unveiled a worthy back-up to his star filly Ortensia in Melbourne during the spring following Hilton Head's commanding victory at Doomben.Hilton Head produced a classy performance on debut to down Spinelli by 2-1/2 lengths in Wednesday's Austin Pool Services Plate (1110m).Noonan has a big opinion of the Fastnet Rock filly who was bought at the Magic Millions yearling sales for $500,000 by Australian businessman Lindsay Williams.Williams has been a client of Noonan for the pas

Trainer Tony Noonan unveiled a worthy back-up to his star filly Ortensia in Melbourne during the spring following Hilton Head's commanding victory at Doomben.

Hilton Head produced a classy performance on debut to down Spinelli by 2-1/2 lengths in Wednesday's Austin Pool Services Plate (1110m).

Noonan has a big opinion of the Fastnet Rock filly who was bought at the Magic Millions yearling sales for $500,000 by Australian businessman Lindsay Williams.

Williams has been a client of Noonan for the past couple of years but now resides in the United States.

Hilton Head settled perfectly off the pace for jockey Terry Treichel before going on to set a new class record of 1:05.24.

"She's a nice filly but we've had a couple of hiccups with her along the way," Noonan said.

"I thought she would make a Magic Millions filly but she's got some temperament issues and we had to miss the race.

"I'll give her a spell now and look at the spring back home with her."

Noonan believes the Listed Red Roses (1200m) at Flemington on VRC Oaks day would prove an ideal target for Hilton Head in the spring.

"There's quite a few fillies races for her in Melbourne but the Red Roses looks a suitable race at this stage," he said.

"If she can get her temperament right I'd like to bring her back to Queensland for the Magic Millions Trophy in January."

Hilton Head's dam, Golden Delicious, did most of her racing in Perth winning up to Group Three level in her 13 victories before finishing her career with Melbourne trainer Danny O'Brien in 2005.

Noonan plans to inspect Ortensia later this week while she's still spelling in Queensland following her outstanding winter carnival performances.

"I'm going to look at Ortensia in a couple of days to see how she's going before she starts pre-training in about two weeks," Noonan said.

"I'm still not sure of her spring races at home but the most likely ones are the Emirates and Patinack Farm Stakes."

Ortensia emerged as one of the stars of the recent Brisbane winter carnival despite only finishing third to Black Piranha in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm last month.

The daughter of Testa Rossa was an early Stradbroke favourite after stamping herself a star in the making following her explosive victories in the Listed Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben and Group Two QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm in May.

Noonan had hoped Ortensia would get her chance at Group One redemption in the Winter Stakes (1400m) a fortnight after her Stradbroke placing but a minor leg injury forced her to the spelling paddock prematurely.