Melody lands Mona Lisa Stakes

Gai Waterhouse and Gooree Stud combined to win the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong on Friday with progressive mare Sweetest Melody.

Sweetest Melody (5m Encosta de Lago – Ornamental Rose by Catrail) was having her first crack at black-type after coming off two smart victories at Rosehill.  She raced on the pace and kicked strongly to beat Red Tracer by a length.

Sweetest Melody is the 85th stakes-winner for Coolmore’s champion sire Encosta deLago.  Her dam Ornamental Rose is a half-sister to stakes-winner Sir Success from the family of G1 winner Swiss Ace.

She was consigned to the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions by Widden Stud on behalf of Gooree but passed in shy of a $200,000 reserve.  Her overall record consists if 7 wins and 2 placings from 11 starts with prizemoney of $226,170.

Encosta deLago nearly made it a feature double at Wyong.  His mare Essence of Success was runner-up to The Verminator (Jeune) in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup.