"It's a big thrill to come home and have a run like I've had," Baster said.
The Hawkes Racing team was expected to be celebrating a feature win at Flemington yesterday.
It just wasn't meant to be with Tavarnelle.
Tavarnelle's superstar stablemate All Too Hard was to start an odds-on favourite in the group one Australian Guineas but was a shock race morning scratching due to an elevated temperature.
It left Tavarnelle as the only Flemington runner for the Hawkes team in the group three Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) and she duly won to brighten the spirits of co-trainer Wayne Hawkes.
"It was a weird feeling driving in to Flemington today but it's amazing how everything happens. And it's a good result, this one," Hawkes said.
Tavarnelle did have some support, firming from $17 to $12, and sat outside the leader Sheila's Star ($3.50) before edging her out in the run to the line to win by a short-head.
Koonoomoo ($6.50) came in another short half-head away in a blanket finish.