They come into their own in the dark days when the weather cools and the tracks soften.

Conventional wisdom says they won't go on to further success when the weather improves, the ground quickens and the higher class performers hit the track as the spring looms.

But  there are exceptions, gallopers who hit their straps during the middle of the year and keep that progress going – often in the group and listed races that are run on ground with a little give in it early in the new season, when race-fit and improving types can see off their better credentialled rivals.

The best winter form in Victoria is invariably that shown on finals day at Flemington, when a series of races over various distances — both open and restricted age group, some for colts, and some for fillies — are decided.

For some it is a career highlight. But for others it might be a stepping stone to better things.

Certainly Luke Oliver, who sent out Jessy Belle to win the 1400 metres Leilani Series Final for mares four years and above is hoping that will be the case. The four-year-old won for the second time in a row at Flemington, and her young Caulfield-based trainer is optimistic that she might be able to garner some black type over the next few months.

"She went nearly 12 months without a win. It's probably a big step going from three to four, but it's taken her a bit of time to get up to this class," Oliver reflected. "We have got the option to give her a little bit of a spell and bring her back for the spring. I guess it would be nice to get a bit of black type to her name."

Patrick Payne rode many top gallopers when he was a jockey so he knows a good horse when he sees one.

He is trying to keep the buzz down about his improving sort Raposo, who carried 59 kilograms to victory in the 1600 metre Slickpix Silver Bowl Series Final for three year olds, but his rider, Brad Rawiller, was excited about the gelding's raw ability.

Both men acknowledge there is a long way to go if Raposo is to become a spring contender at any level. He was, after all, only winning off a mark of 72 against his own age group on Saturday. But when a horse shows the ability to sprint at the end of races he possesses, he has the potential to take higher order.

Rawiller said his tendency to miss the kick made no difference this time. "He was going that good it wouldn't have mattered where I was [in the run]. That turn of foot [was impressive] and it could have been better. He lost momentum at the 300 and just straight after it I knew I was going to win and that doesn't happen very often.I can only say, I thought he was bloody impressive."

Payne was rather more circumspect.  "He likes the winter where the tracks are quite wet and the fields split up a bit and that opens it up a bit for him.

"I didn't have any grand plans as I didn't know he would run the mile, but that gives him scope for a little bit of movement now. Maybe early spring, but there are a lot of good horses who start coming in from now onwards. "

One who almost certainly will be aiming higher in the next few months as the better races loom is Winter Championship Final winner Amovatio, whom Damien Oliver just got to the post in time to see off the Dwayne Dunn-partnered Mr Utopia.

The Chris Waller-trained Amovatio shouldered top weight of 60 kilograms to win at Flemington - more than any galloper has carried to victory in the race's 36-year history - off a rating of 99. He will now go to a higher figure, which means he will either have to give lumps of weight away to inferior horses in lesser grade, or step up in class - perhaps to an 1800 metre trip - where he will come in with a lighter weight than more proven performers in the better races in the early spring.