Melt claims second Stakes win at Ruakaka

Daughter of Iffraaj returns to form in G3 Northland Breeders Stakes

Having established herself as one of New Zealand’s best two-year-olds of last season, the Iffraaj filly Melt has continued her strong form as a three-year-old with victory in Saturday’s G3 Northland Breeder’s Stakes at Ruakaka.

Melt had opened her current campaign with a win over 1000m at the track two weeks ago and her latest win has convinced trainer Nigel Tiley to take on the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

Melt exploded through a gap on the rails in the home straight to dash away to an effortless one and a half-length victory.

A daughter of the speedy mare Ticklish, a winner twice at Listed level in New Zealand, Melt is from the family of G1 VRC Derby winner Omnicorp.

Melt, who is owned by Andrew Fowler who bred the filly in partnership with C J Cochrane, is among Iffraaj’s 61 Stakes winners.