Hurtle Myrtle recently showed leading jockey Blake Shinn she was above average, much to the delight of trainer Matthew Smith.The Warwick Farm horseman believed the filly was something special from day one and is thrilled to have Shinn aboard her again in Saturday's Group Three Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.The Silver Shadow is the first leg of the four-race Princess Series which Smith is looking to steer Hurtle Myrtle towards.Shinn rode the Dane Shadow filly in her breakthrough last-s

Hurtle Myrtle recently showed leading jockey Blake Shinn she was above average, much to the delight of trainer Matthew Smith.

The Warwick Farm horseman believed the filly was something special from day one and is thrilled to have Shinn aboard her again in Saturday's Group Three Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

The Silver Shadow is the first leg of the four-race Princess Series which Smith is looking to steer Hurtle Myrtle towards.

Shinn rode the Dane Shadow filly in her breakthrough last-start win over Saturday's distance at Canterbury on July 29.

Hurtle Myrtle was having her third start and Shinn was having his first ride on her when she raced on the speed before going on to defeat Little Surfer Girl by a short head.

"These sorts of horses show you ability from day one at home, in trials, in work, in everything they do, and she certainly did," Smith said.

"It's a big confidence boost that Blake has stuck with her and great that he believes she is a nice type too.

"He thought she showed above-average acceleration at Canterbury and like me thinks she'll get better as it gets further."

Smith hopes to see Hurtle Myrtle hitting the line strongly and says a win on Saturday will be a bonus.

"I'm hoping she can run a place, just to secure her spot in the other races in the series," Smith said.

"It might turn out to be a bit short for her but she will run well. I'm expecting her to come into her own later in the series."

Hurtle Myrtle clashes with the likes of one-time Golden Slipper favourite More Joyous on Saturday.

The pair met as two-year-olds with Hurtle Myrtle running fifth on debut to the Gai Waterhouse-trained filly at Rosehill over 1100 metres.

Hurtle Myrtle followed it up with an unlucky third to Fear No Other in the Inglis Classic (1200m) at Randwick in January.

"She just wasn't ready to take on that calibre of horse at Rosehill, she did a lot wrong," Smith said.

"She overraced but Rod Quinn jumped off her and said she had plenty of improvement in her and a bright future.

"We were a bit rushed, we wanted to run her in the Inglis race and we had to run her somewhere."

In the Inglis Classic, Hurtle Myrtle jumped from the widest gate, 13, and was caught wide throughout.

Hurtle Myrtle has barrier four of 14 in the Silver Shadow and Smith will leave tactics up to Shinn.

"I'm not that keen with being too on-pace with her, she looks pretty tractable," Smith said.

"When she gets to 1400 metres and beyond you will see her acceleration and she'll sit back a bit further. Blake will just have her where she's comfortable on Saturday."

The Princess Series continues with the Group Two Furious Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5 followed by the Group Two Tea Rose Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill two weeks later.

It concludes with the Group One Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 3.