Matthew Smith can"t put into words how important it is for him to have a filly with Hurtle Myrtle"s talent heading into the autumn racing carnival in Sydney.

Hurtle Myrtle was the Warwick Farm-based trainer"s first ever Group One runner when she finished third in the Flight Stakes at Randwick in the spring.

The emerging horseman is now hoping his stable star can take another giant leap forward and snare a major race victory during the autumn.

The filly will kick-off her campaign in Saturday"s Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill before a date with More Joyous in the Group Two Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm second up on March 6.

Smith has Hurtle Myrtle nominated for another race on Saturday but indicated he was keen to start her in the Triscay.

"It"s just nice to have a horse of her quality in the stable, they are very hard for a small trainer like me to get my hands on," Smith said.

"You"ve got to make the most of it when you"re lucky enough to get one. I"m really looking forward to the autumn with her."

Smith had talented colt Krupt ready for autumn riches two years ago but a stone bruise in Golden Slipper week forced the trainer to scratch him on the eve of the race.

Krupt had won the Todman Stakes and was considered a live chance in the Slipper.

A subsequent injury ended Krupt"s racing career without him having another start.

"He was top class and it was just unfortunate we never saw the best of him," Smith said.

"You just can"t put into words how important it is for a small stable like mine trying to make it in Sydney to get two horses like that.

"I"m just keeping my fingers crossed now that all goes well with this filly and she has a good preparation."

Hurtle Myrtle was taken to Rosehill on February 6 for an exhibition gallop and then the daughter of Dane Shadow won an 800m barrier trial at Warwick Farm last Friday, pleasing her trainer.

"I know my filly is smart and I know she has come back well." Smith said.

"She was always going to be better this time around purely because she was immature last time out.

"Just the time off has done her good, she"s stronger now."

Smith had a slight setback with the filly after her first barrier trial at Rosehill on January 22 and that, coupled with the wet weather in Sydney, forced the trainer to bypass the traditional fillies" autumn kick-off race, the Light Fingers Stakes.

It means she"ll take on fillies and mares at Rosehill on Saturday.

"I think she is fairly forward but she"s by no means screwed right down," the trainer said.

"She"ll improve from this run because she"s first-up from a long break and the track will probably be rain affected. But I"m sure she"ll run well."

Smith is targeting the Group One Storm Queen Stakes (2000m) with her but said the Surround Stakes would tell him plenty.

"We"ll get this Saturday out of the way and then see where she measures up in the Surround. From the Surround we can plan her preparation," he said.

Story courtesy of AAP