Originally aimed at the $150,000 Group 2 Lady Sonia McMahon Memorial Stakes (Sapphire Stakes) at the same meeting, Ryan opted to run his talented filly up against an open field of sprinters in the Group 1 T J Smith after only six other horses were paid-up for.

It proved the right move as Melito ($10), ridden by Blake Shinn, produced a powerful late burst leaving behind Hot Danish ($3.90) three-quarters of a length away in second with the $3.30 favourite Mic Mac just a short-head further back for third.

Following the top three, the Peter Moody-trained Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted ($3.90) snared fourth followed by Patronyme ($12), Metal Bender ($19) and Lord Tavistock ($21).

After settling worse than mid-field, Shinn and Melito surged to the lead inside the last 200m to claim victory and stop Hot Danish from winning their first Group 1 success in eight unsuccessful attempts.

A daughter of Redoute’s Choice, Melito maintained her impressive second-up record with her win in the 2010 T J Smith and atoned for her third place to Patronyme in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes last start.

Melito became the seventh T J Smith winner to go out at double-figure odds in the races’ 14 year history, giving trainer Ryan his first Group 1 success since he won the Oakleigh Plate with Snitzel in 2006.

The $300,000 Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) on April 24 is next on the agenda as Melito will attempt double Group 1 glory at the Sydney before heading to Queensland for the Brisbane winter carnival.

T J Smith second and third placegetters Hot Danish and Mic Mac will try to turn the tables as they face off against Melito again in the All Aged Stakes.

It was a cracker day of racing at Randwick on Saturday, with emerging stayer Shoot Out winning the $1.3 million Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m), which was the feature event at the meeting.

2010 Darley T J Smith Stakes Results:

Nine brilliant races will feature on the card, including the $500,000 Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m), where seven of the nation’s most competitive and impressive sprinters will fight it out for the prestigious victory.

The small final field in no way reflects the quality of the runners, with seven stars of the turf engaged in the Darley sponsored weight-for-age showdown.

The Gerald Ryan-trained three-year-old Melito is an uncertain starter in the 2010 T J Smith Stakes at this stage having been accepted in the fillies and mares $150,000 Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) also held at Randwick on Saturday as well.

Currently two horses are battling for favouritism in the betting markets for the T J Smith Stakes, Hot Danish at $3.20 and Mic Mac following closely at $2.80 with IASbet.

The Les Bridge-trained Nothin’ Leica Dane mare Hot Danish is having her first start since winning the Group 2 Canterbury Stakes three weeks back at Rosehill. The talented six-year-old has saluted in 12 of her 22 career starts and will jump from barrier three with Tim Clark aboard on Saturday.

Mic Mac is the other highly fancied runner, the Greg Eurell-trained four-year-old gelding returning to racing following a spell. It will be Mic Mac’s first start since November last year, but the son of Statue Of Liberty had a promising barrier trial on March 30 running first over 990m.

Hugh Bowman will ride Mic Mac in the T J Smith Stakes, jumping from barrier five.

Other quality acceptances in the 2010 T J Smith Stakes include Peter Moody’s last start Group 1 Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted (barrier four) and the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes winning mare Patronyme (barrier two).

Rounding out the field are Metal Bender (barrier six) in his first race start for 2010 under training from new mentor Chris Waller and Lord Tavistock (barrier one) coming off a win in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes four weeks ago.

This year the winner of the TJ Smith automatically qualifies to run in the highly prestigious American thoroughbred race, the US$1 million Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint (1200m) held in November at Kentucky.

The $1.3 million Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) is the premier event held at Randwick on Saturday and other black type races due to be held include the $300,000 Group 1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and the $150,000 Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m).

The 2010 Darley T J Smith Stakes will be held as race four on Saturday’s card and is due to start at 1:45pm (NSW time).

*Update: Melito has been confirmed as a starter as Ryan seeks Group 1 glory with Melito in the 2010 T J Smith Stakes.

2010 Darley T J Smith Stakes Final Field & Barriers: