Saturday's Chipping Norton Stakes will be a litmus test for the rest of Melito's autumn carnival aspirations.The reigning NSW Champion for her deeds as a sprinter last autumn, Melito's focus this time around is on getting a strong 1600 metres with the $2 million Doncaster Mile in April the jewel in the crown.The Group One Chipping Norton at Warwick Farm will be her first test at 1600 metres since the spring of 2009 but trainer Gerald Ryan points to her first-up win in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) a
Saturday's Chipping Norton Stakes will be a litmus test for the rest of Melito's autumn carnival aspirations.
The reigning NSW Champion for her deeds as a sprinter last autumn, Melito's focus this time around is on getting a strong 1600 metres with the $2 million Doncaster Mile in April the jewel in the crown.
The Group One Chipping Norton at Warwick Farm will be her first test at 1600 metres since the spring of 2009 but trainer Gerald Ryan points to her first-up win in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) as a guide.
Melito raced on the pace and drew away from the favourite Hot Danish to win comfortably and Ryan sees no reason why she can't do the same on Saturday.
"She worked really nicely this morning and I'm happy with how she's done since the Apollo," Ryan said.
"Everything is going how we want it to."
Melito was given 54kg when weights for the Doncaster were released on Monday with Whobegotyou topweight with 58kg.
Star mares Black Caviar and More Joyous received 57kg and 56.5kg respectively.
Whobegotyou is topweight with 58kg, half a kilo more than last year's Chipping Norton winner Theseo.
"I'm happy with that weight," Ryan said.
"It's three kilos under weight-for-age and that's pretty much what I expected."
With Corey Brown riding in Melbourne, Melito was partnered for the first time by Brenton Avdulla in the Apollo and he retains the mount.
After recently outriding his claim, Avdulla joined the senior ranks in Sydney and has more than held his own.
He rode a feature double at Rosehill on Saturday when he steered Decision Time to win the Fireball Quality and Ilovethiscity to take out the Hobartville Stakes.
There were 15 entries taken for Chipping Norton on Monday including former Macau champion Luen Yat Forever who came to Australia for the Cox Plate and remained here in the care of Peter Moody.
Gai Waterhouse has four entries - Caulfield Cup winner Descarado, Lorne Dancer, Once Were Wild andTheseo.
Chris Waller has nominated Danleigh and Metal Bender, Joe Pride has Sacred Choice and Vision And Power while David Payne also has two entries - Centennial Park and Illustrious Blue.
The Liverpool City Cup (1300m) received 23 entries with a Doncaster berth guaranteed for the winner.
The Surround Stakes (1400m) for three-year-old fillies received 11 entries while there were 20 in the Wiggle (1400m) for mares and 14 two-year-olds entered for the Lonhro Plate.