Melito oh-so-close in Stradbroke

Outstanding three-year-old filly Melito could hardly have done more at Eagle Farm today to put her sire Redoute’s Choice in serious contention for his second General Australian Sires’ premiership.

Melito (ex Cloister by Marauding; bred by Reavill Farm Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd) went down by a short half-head to Black Piranha, with the Paul Messara-trained Mic Mac a long head third, in a heart-stopping finish to the $1 million BRC Stradbroke H. 1400m G1.

It was the fifth placing in eight Group One starts this season for the classy and resolute filly who deservedly gained the ultimate status when she defeated Hot Danish and Mic Mac in the AJC T.J. Smith S. G1 in April. Melito’s record now reads three wins and 12 placings from 18 starts, and more than $1.4 million prizemoney.

Dariana’s Group One win and Melito’s Group One placing at Eagle Farm today boost Redoute’s Choice’s Australian earnings by $520,000, which does make the race for the Australian Sires’ premiership considerably more interesting. According to Arion Pedigrees, little more than $200,000 now separates Redoute’s Choice and Encosta de Lago at the head of the table.