The most anticipated runner at the big Wyong meeting on Friday was the unbeaten Kris Lees trained filly Smart Melody, who kept her perfect record intact.

A homebred for Gooree Stud, Smart Melody won her only two starts last season by a combined total of 10.6 lengths so there was much interest in her return in the Benchmark 74 event over 1100 metres.

She tracked the leaders for Kerrin McEvoy and then slid through along the inside after turning for home to score an easy length and a half win.

“There’s a lot of positives to take out of that,” said Kris Lees.

“There are a lot of good three year-olds around, but I think she’s one of them.”

Smart Melody is entered for all the spring majors including the Cox Plate so expectations are obviously high.

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.

With three wins in as many starts, Smart Melody looks a real rising star for Smart Missile, who stands at a fee of $13,200 at Twin Hill Stud.

Story by Breednet’s Tara Madgwick