Melbourne, February 23 – Well-known owner/breeder Yvonne Smith scored a valuable victory at Caulfield on Saturday when her talented filly Meliora captured the Group II MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes with a dazzling display of front running.
The Peter Moody trained daughter of Ad Valorem (USA) made every post a winner, rated perfectly in front by Luke Nolen to open up a sizable lead, which she maintained to the line to win the 1400 metre feature by a dominant three and a half lengths.
“We thought she could run a strong seven furlongs and made them all chase from a long way out,” Moody said.
“We’ll see where her form leads her form here, but she may well find her way to Sydney.”
Meliora has the overall record of four wins and a second from 10 starts with prizemoney topping $220,000, this success her first win in a Black Type event.
Foaled and raised at Yarraman Park for Mrs Smith, 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, her breeding interests now also reaping rewards.
Sunset Boulevard has a two year-old filly by Choisir called Endless Summer that is in work with Gai Waterhouse, produced a colt by promising young sire I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park last spring and is now back in foal to the same sire.
