Pre race plans were executed perfectly by jockey Luke Nolen when Meliora led all of the way to take out the Group 2 $220,000 D’Urban Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Meliora leads all the way to win the Angus Armanasco Stakes. Photo by: Bruno Cannatelli

Trainer Peter Moody and Nolen decided to lead again on the three year old over the 1400m and Nolen had a winning break on the hometurn when he let Meliora set up a five lengths break.

Meliora had shown her liking to be out in front and Nolen rated her to perfection in the early and middle stages giving nothing else a chance with some clever sectionals midrace.

The rest of field was under pressure chasing with favourite Member’s Joy leading the charge without making any impression on the Ad Valorem filly.

“We thought we would have no trouble running a strong seven and would make them chase us from a long out,” Moody said.

“He rode it beautifully as he does under those circumstances and the filly did the rest.”

Moody will keep Meliora to a similar class of race in the future and the filly might have earned herself a trip to Sydney for their Autumn Carnival.

“We’ll look at these types of races, you know that six and a half furlong to maybe seven and a half. We’ll see where her form leads us, she could find her way to Sydney for a couple of filly’s races in similar vain.”

Meliora was shortening stride over the final 100m but had plenty in reserve to record a three and a half length win over Member’s Joy with Red Fez a neck away in third spot.