Melito's trainer Gerald Ryan believes there is more than one threat to the filly's chances in the Tea Rose Stakes.His opinion is in contrast to punters who believe Saturday's Group Two race over 1500 metres at Rosehill will be a two-horse war.The Gai Waterhouse-trained More Joyous was the $2 TAB Sportsbet favourite on Friday ahead of Melito at $2.60.Deer Valley at $7 was the closest to the pair in the market."It's certainly not a one-horse or two-horse race that's for sure," Ryan said."I reckon

Melito's trainer Gerald Ryan believes there is more than one threat to the filly's chances in the Tea Rose Stakes.

His opinion is in contrast to punters who believe Saturday's Group Two race over 1500 metres at Rosehill will be a two-horse war.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained More Joyous was the $2 TAB Sportsbet favourite on Friday ahead of Melito at $2.60.

Deer Valley at $7 was the closest to the pair in the market.

"It's certainly not a one-horse or two-horse race that's for sure," Ryan said.

"I reckon anyone of the top five can win it."

The Chris Waller-trained Deer Valley defeated Melito by a half head in a controversial finish to the Group Three Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) last month.

Deer Valley's rider Daniel Ganderton was suspended for a breach of the controversial whip rules.

The Silver Shadow was the first leg of the four race Princess Series.

Melito won the second race of the series, the Furious Stakes (1400m), defeating the Matthew Smith-trained Hurtle Myrtle by 1-1/2 lengths.

Ryan believes Hurtle Myrtle ($8) also has to be respected as she steps up to more suitable trips and he isn't writing off the chances of Patinack Farm filly So Anyway ($11).

The daughter of General Nediym was fourth to Melito in the Furious.

Melito has worked to Ryan's satisfaction this week with good hitouts on Monday and Thursday.

"She's been finishing off well in her work," Ryan said.

The suspension of Corey Brown for a breach of the whip rules at Wyong recently has forced a change of rider on Melito with Kerrin McEvoy taking over.

But Ryan said Melito is a dream to ride and won't cause the new hoop any problems.

"She's pretty bomb-proof. She's a lovely thing to ride, she's got no hassles and no quirks," Ryan said.

Brown has ridden Melito in both of her Princess Series runs.

Saturday will be the fourth time More Joyous and Melito have clashed.

Their first encounter was in the Silver Slipper in February when More Joyous' saddle slipped shortly after the start and she took no part in the race.

Melito was almost the forgotten winner with all the attention on the reigning Golden Slipper favourite.

More Joyous rocketed to victory soon after in the Group Two Reisling Stakes with Melito 2-1/4 lengths second in their return bout.

The pair raced in the Golden Slipper with More Joyous beating one runner home in 15th while Melito was eighth.

Ryan had a great day at Rosehill last Saturday with Ready To Lift's win in the Group Three Kingston Town Stakes bringing up the trainer's third winner on the program after earlier victories from stablemates Flushing Meadows and Rothesay.