Melito showed she was on track for another successful campaign with an excellent first-up victory in the G2 Apollo Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Melito (4m Redoute’s Choice – Cloister by Marauding) sat outside Hot Danish before striding clear at her first run since finishing 10 lengths behind Black Caviar at Flemington in November.

The Gerald Ryan trained mare looks on track for more elite level victories prior to being retired to stud later this year.  One of her main goals this prep will be the G1 AJC Doncaster Mile at Randwick for which is quoted at $15 in pre-post markets.

Melito was voted NSW Champion Horse of the Year in 2009-10 after G1 victories in the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick and Qld Tatts Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm.

Ryan took a shine to Melito when she was offered at the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  He bid $600,000 and the Apollo increased her earnings to $1.76 million for Reavill Racing owner John Rippon.

Melito is by champion Arrowfield Stud sire Redoute’s Choice and her dam Cloister has foaled three stakes performers – the others being Sister Declan (Quest for Fame) and Across the Moon (Stratum).

Cloister won the VATC Debutante Stakes at Caulfield and hails from the family of deceased Newhaven Park sire Zeditave.  She has a 2yo filly named Secluded (Hussonet) and a colt on the ground by Redoute’s Choice.