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By Ray Hickson

With Menari as a big brother, Sweet Ava has some big shoes to fill but trainer Gerald Ryan isn’t saddling her with huge expectations for her debut at Canterbury on Friday night.

Sweet Ava, like Menari, carries the familiar colours of owner George Altomonte and has won two barrier trials ahead of her first outing in the Tab.com.au Plate (1200m) where she’s a $4.20 second favourite.

Ryan said the siblings don’t share a lot else in common.

“There aren't many similarities between them except she's got ability,’’ Ryan said.

“I don't think she has the ability of Menari, but enough to win races.

“I nearly always give them two trials, she's not a precocious jump and run speed filly. She has enough speed to race handy but I think later on she will be better at 1400m or 1600m.’’

Sweet Ava is kicking off her career about a month sooner than Menari did – the colt made his debut on January 14 this year with an impressive win at Randwick and was Group 1 placed in the Golden Rose at his last start.

Sweet Ava's second trial win at Rosehill – December 8

Ryan said this filly will head straight to the paddock on Monday for a short break regardless of the result but stressed that doesn’t rule out an autumn/Golden Slipper campaign.

“She's coming along well, she takes nearly everything the right way,’’ he said.

“Mr Altomonte is always very patient with his horses. She'll just have this race for experience then go out.’’

Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been on board Sweet Ava in both her trials and said each win has been a good educational experience.

“She's a nice individual. She sat behind them the other day and relaxed well and finished off the trial nicely,’’ he said.

“She's by no means the finished article and will be a much bigger specimen in 12 months.’’

Ryan will also saddle up the in-form Destiny's Own in the #theraces Handicap (1550m).

The colt has posted two career wins, both over the Canterbury 1550m including an all the way win at the last night meeting, and the trainer sees no reason why Destiny’s Own can’t feature in the finish again.

“He's going very well, he was difficult at first but he's a very honest and consistent horse,’’ Ryan said.

“He puts himself on top of the speed and helps himself but I think he is a better chaser.’’

Destiny's Own was a $5.50 chance with TAB on Friday morning behind favourite Savacool, who he had the better of when they clashed two weeks ago.

All the fields, form and replays for the night meeting at Canterbury Park on Friday