Trained in Sydney by Lee Curtis, she was not beaten far in three runs back from
a spell in top class company and had fitness and class on her side coming into this
1200 metre sprint.Ridden a confident race by Damien Oliver, Meryl kicked away turning for home and was too good on the post winning by a length and a half .
"We've had a big wrap on her for a long time," said Lee Curtis.
"Like all my horses I bring down to Melbourne, they just fly when they get here."
Racing for a lady's syndicate headed by Christine Cook, Meryl was a $150,000 purchase by Randwick B'Stock/Mystery Downs from the Riversdale draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and has won two of seven starts earning over $300,000 in prizemoney.
A half-sister to the stakes placegetters Miss Idyllic and Chosen Idol, Meryl is the best of five winners from the winning Made Of Gold (USA) mare Academy Idol who is a sister to multiple Listed winner and Group I placed Cosmic Strike.
Riversdale Farm's Nick Hodges purchased Academy Idol for $6,500 from Kulani Park at the 2009 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale and she's proven a real gem.
Riversdale sold an Exceed and Excel colt from Academy Idol at Magic Millions this year to sun Stud for $500,000. She has a yearling colt by Headwater and produced a Star Witness colt foal this spring that is pictured below at Riversdale.
Meryl is one of three stakes-winners for dual Group I winner Epaulette, who stands at Darley at a fee of $27,500
