Promising filly Melberra Star is set to step out for the first time since her impressive debut win at Canberra two weeks ago when she lines-up at her home track again on Tuesday.
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Melberra Star showed promise in her only barrier trial (900 metres) appearance in preparation for her first race start when she beat home metropolitan race winner Miss Ready at Thoroughbred Park on November 28.
Sixteen days later, and again at Canberra, the Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones-trained three-year-old cruised to a three length win on debut in a 1200-metre Maiden.
Melberra Star did it in style too, running-on from almost the back of the pack in the 14-horse field to win with plenty still in the tank.
The Denman filly will have her next start in a Class 2 Handicap (1200 metres) at Canberra on Tuesday, and her co-trainer Jones is confident she can make it two victories from as many starts.
"She's jumping straight from a Maiden to a Class 2, which is a big jump, but if she's as every bit as good as we think she is, she should handle it," he said.
Melberra Star will carry less weight on her back and have fewer competitors to beat than her debut run, which - although rising in class - has her in good stead to be fighting out the finish.
Joseph and Jones will once again have Michael Travers controlling the reins of the three-year-old on Tuesday following the hoops strong ride aboard the filly last start.
Jones said that his stable is excited to get Melberra Star back to the racetrack considering the manner in which the three-year-old won first-up.
There were three 1200-metre races at the last Canberra meeting, and Melberra Star's race time in her Maiden was quicker than the Class 1 winner and just 0.2 seconds off Ainzali's winning time in the Benchmark 60.
"She won very impressively," Jones said. "You can't run like that in your first race if you've got no talent. We're very excited with her.
"Coming from well back in the field is very impressive and it's got a lot of people talking about her."
Jones said that should Melberra Star perform strongly on Tuesday as expected, she will be given a short freshen-up for her next start at Canterbury on Australia Day, January 26.
There, the Canberra trained galloper will contest a $50,000 race for three-year-olds with no metropolitan wins (1250 metres).
