Melt way too hot for her rivals

HIGH priced yearling purchases and race favourites played second fiddle to the flying Nigel Tileytrained filly Melt in the Listed Ashford Lodge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Astute as they come, Tiley was quietly confident of a big debut effort from his Iffraaj filly despite the pre-race hype around a couple of her opponents.

While Matamata fillies Autumn Wild and Pinot Grey dominated the betting, Melt’s connections were happy to take the early double figure odds around their trial winner.

Ridden by Michael McNab, Melt settled off the speed while the favourites set a solid pace which told on them in the run to the post.

When McNab let Melt go she gathered in the leaders with ease and ran away for a comprehensive win.

‘‘She’s something special this horse,’’ McNab said. ‘‘She’s a lovely filly.’’

Her dam Ticklish was a speed machine specialising in dashes over 1000m setting track records and winning nine races.

Prepared by Steven Pinfold before he retired from training, Ticklish was a prolific winner in her home land and good enough to tackle and beat the Australian sprinters when campaigned across the Tasman.

Melt has inherited the family ability and a bright future beckons.

‘‘This filly is very good,’’ Tiley said. ‘‘Her work on Thursday morning was as good as any 2-year-old I’ve had.

‘‘I said to Andrew [owner Andrew Fowler who co-bred the filly] I won’t run her unless I think she can win.’’

Tiley will take his time with Melt.

‘‘She’s not a Karaka Million horse so there’s no pressure on,’’ he said. ‘‘She’s got her black-type win. We’ll look at some of those nice 2-year-old races over Christmas.’’

Autumn Wild, a two-time trial winner, and Pinot Grey, a race winner, jumped to the front to control the early speed suggesting the race could be a battle between them.

Rounding the home bend there was nothing between them but McNab angled Melt into the clear at the 300m mark.

Melt hit overdrive with a devastating turn of foot to clear out by three and a-quarter lengths from the fast finishing Bit Lippy with Flaunt It Girl snatching third from Pinot Grey.