The Group One TJ Smith Stakes wasn't on the agenda for three-year-old Melito but a late decision to enter the filly reaped a huge reward at Randwick on Saturday.Melito ($10) stormed home down the outside to grab Sydney's favourite mare Hot Danish ($3.90) to win the $500,000 weight-for-age contest by three-quarters of a length with Victorian sprinter Mic Mac ($3.30 fav) a short head away third.It was a special moment for Gerald Ryan, who claimed his first Group One since Snitzel took out the Oakl
The Group One TJ Smith Stakes wasn't on the agenda for three-year-old Melito but a late decision to enter the filly reaped a huge reward at Randwick on Saturday.
Melito ($10) stormed home down the outside to grab Sydney's favourite mare Hot Danish ($3.90) to win the $500,000 weight-for-age contest by three-quarters of a length with Victorian sprinter Mic Mac ($3.30 fav) a short head away third.
It was a special moment for Gerald Ryan, who claimed his first Group One since Snitzel took out the Oakleigh Plate four years ago.
"She's done it at last," the excited trainer said, claiming the victory ranked highly among his training achievements.
"She's a three-year-old filly against the older horses," he said.
"I love her, I said after her first gallop she was a Group One horse and she hadn't been able to get there, but today she has."
Melito was a dual acceptor at Randwick with Ryan mapping out a preparation for the filly which didn't originally include the TJ Smith Stakes.
She was originally going to run in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes over the same distance (1200m) against her own sex.
But when her owners saw the nominations for the Group One, they suggested throwing in a late nomination.
"Thanks to (owners) John and David Rippon, it was their idea on Friday, a week ago, at the Sales when the entries for this race came out," Ryan said.
"She's going good, she's unbeaten second-up and I just doubted those older sprinters anyway.
"She worked really well on Tuesday morning and the rider who rides all her work said she was as good as she's ever been."
Ryan made the decision to keep Melito to shorter distances this preparation after trying to make her stay in the spring where she tailed right off in the VRC Oaks (2500m) in November.
Melito will now run in the All-Aged Stakes before heading to Brisbane for three Group Ones including the Stradbroke Handicap.
"My main aim this autumn was to take on these horses in the All-Aged," Ryan said.
"This race wasn't on the agenda, and if she can do it again in the All-Aged she'll probably sit up there with one of the best we've ever had."
Again it wasn't to be for Hot Danish, who moved up in the straight to claim the lead but the fast-finishing Melito, with Blake Shinn aboard, relegated her to being the bridesmaid once again.
It was the third time the Les Bridge-trained mare has finished second in a Group One.
"She beat all the hotpots but the filly just ran her down," Bridge said.
Greg Eurell said Mic Mac's effort to finish a close third was strong, and believes stepping up to 1400m in the All-Aged on April 24 will suit.