$1.5 million yearling purchase Little Surfer Girl has endured a tough run to finish a close second in the Freeway Republic Beer 2YO Fillies Handicap (2100m) at Canterbury today.

It was the immaculately bred fillies first start since she ran third on debut behind Sunday Rose in February.

This preparation Little Surfer Girl has been seen in two barrier trials, the latest being a victory at Rosehill on July 7 over 900m.

In the second 2YO fillies event of the day, Little Surfer Girl from the outside barrier was the widest runner throughout.

Despite her tough run, the Chris Waller-trained filly still managed to hit the lead 250m from home, only to be edged out on the line by Dane Shadow filly Hurtle Myrtle.

"It was a very good run," Waller said.

"Obviously it is disappointing not to win. She ran a great race, just got caught wide from the draw and she is a nice filly on the way up."

A $1.5 million purchase by the Ingham"s at the 2008 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Little Surfer Girl is by Encosta De Lago out of multiple Group 1-winning Spinning World mare Special Harmony.

Special Harmony won three Group 1 events including the 2003 VRC Oaks, the 1000 Guineas and the 2004 Arrowfield Stud Stakes.

The mare is a half-sister to the West Australian Group 2 winners King Canute (Perth Cup) and Redwoldt (Karrakatta Plate).

Little Surfer Girl was defeated today by a filly who only attracted a fraction of her $1.5 million price tag, Hurtle Myrtle.

The Dane Shadow filly was a $55,000 purchase at the 2008 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

First season sire Dane Shadow"s progeny have now recorded seven wins from 28 runners.

His most successful juvenile to date is Shellscrape.

Out of a Snippets mare Kisma, Shellscrape won the Listed $100,000 Australia Post Bicentennial Stakes at Eagle Farm last month.