G2 victory for Meliora

Getting away well from barrier two, the Peter Moody-trained three-year-old Ad Valorem filly Meliora became the ninth Stakes winner for her sire, winning the G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on 23 February.

Jumping straight to the lead for jockey Luke Nolen, Meliora slowly extended her lead to be about three lengths in front of the field at the 400m stage. At the half way mark the lead extended once again, with the filly racing away to a five length margin and then the “catch me if you can” tactics were employed.

Winning the race impressivly by three-and-a-half lengths, Meliora defeated Members Joy and the previously unbeaten Red Fez.

This race has been a good stepping stone in the past with the likes of Reset fillies Set For Fame and eventual G1 WS Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker both taking out the G2 contest.

Trainer Peter Moody indicated that the filly could now possibly head to Sydney to target further stakes races up to 1500m.

Bred and raced by the Gold Coast-based Yvonne Smith, Meliora is the first Stakes winner out of the Fasliyev mare Sunset Boulevard, whose three runners to date are all winners.

The sire of nine Stakes winners internationally highlighted by fellow G2 winners Pied A Terre and Free Wheeling, Ad Valorem will be represented by two yearlings at the forthcoming Inglis Premier yearling sale.