Trainer Matthew Smith celebrated the most important win of his career when Hurtle Myrtle landed the Group One Myer Classic at Flemington on Saturday.
Her victory gave jockey Damien Oliver a Group One double on the Derby day program after he earlier claimed the Mackinnon Stakes aboard Glass Harmonium.
Hurtle Myrtle winning the Myer Classic (Group 1) at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Hurtle Myrtle fought off last year’s Myer winner Sacred Choice to take out the 1600m race with Darley’s Dysphonia third.
“I thought she was a sneaky chance today,” Oliver said.
“I won a race on her (Sapphire Stakes) in Sydney and she showed a good turn of foot that day.
“All credit goes to Matthew Smith, he’s done a great job with this mare.”
The only other time Hurtle Myrtle had raced over 1600 metres she finished third to More Joyous in the 2009 Group One Flight Stakes at Randwick.
More Joyous started favourite in Saturday’s Myer Classic but knocked up and finished out of the placings.
AAP TURF
