Smart Filly Sensational at Canterbury

It's been a sensational season for Twin Hills Stud's Smart Missile with over 100 winners of more than $5million in prizemoney, but there may be even better ahead next season as one of his winners is exciting two year-old Smart Melody, who blitzed her rivals at Canterbury on Wednesday to earn a slot in early markets for the Group I Golden Rose.

A homebred for Gooree Stud prepared by Kris Lees, Smart Melody thrashed her rivals to win by more than five lengths on debut at Newcastle on June 9 and was a short priced favourite to take that good form to town.

A stunning individual, the powerhouse bay looked a class above her rivals in the mounting yard and was just as dominant on the track.

She stalked the leader for Brenton Avdulla and then zoomed away after turning for home to record a facile five length win over 1100 metres.

"I know she's a late two year-old and I rode the Golden Slipper winner (Estijaab), but that's one of the best two year-old performances I've ridden this season," Avdulla said.

Smart Melody is expected be highly rated when the first markets for the $1million Golden Rose are released. Her sire Smart Missile was second in the 2011 Golden Rose behind Manawanui, so it would be nice to see his daughter go one better.

Smart Melody is the first winner for stakes-winning Encosta de Lago mare Sweetest Melody, who was on-sold by Gooree Stud at the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale earlier this year for $51,000 in foal to Choisir.

Smart Melody looks a real rising star for Smart Missile, who stands at a fee of $13,200 at Twin Hill Stud.