Melbourne, July 20 – Well known Gold Coast based racehorse owner Yvonne Smith featured with a smart winner at Geelong on Friday when the Peter Moody trained filly Meliora opened her account with a dominant win.
A homebred for Mrs Smith, the daughter of Ad Valorem (USA) improved with the benefit of race experience, travelling sweetly for Linda Meech and accelerating in the straight to win the 1200 metre maiden eased down by four lengths at her fourth start.
Meliora was beaten a head when resuming from a spell last month and then was an unlucky fourth at Echuca last start, so she was well overdue for this deserving victory.
“I was rapt to have the ride today as she’s always worked well at home and I thought she would have won a race by now, but she’s just starting to work it out,” said Meech.
Foaled and raised at Yarraman Park, Meliora is a half-sister to smart Sydney metropolitan winners Daintree Road and Suki and is the third winner from three foals to race from Sunset Boulevard, who was raced by Mrs Smith and retained for stud duties.
Mrs Smith has enjoyed much success over the years as an owner through horses such as Assertive Lad and Arlington Road.
Sunset Boulevard has a yearling filly by Choisir and will foal to Yarraman Park’s young sire I Am Invincible this spring.