A huge run for third at Awapuni last start has put the promising The Ice Knight in contention for the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday week.

After back-to-back wins at Avondale, The Ice Knight finished less than a neck from Ozil over 1200 metres at the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes meeting.

“It was a huge effort as the set weights and penalties conditions didn’t suit him,” trainer Nigel Tiley said. 

“He’ll run in the Cambridge Breeders’ then we’ll decide what to do. I could take him to Brisbane if he goes well at Te Rapa. He’s proved he’s got the family ability.”

The Ice Knight is a three-year-old brother to Tiley’s top two-year-old Melt, who created a massive impression when winning her first two starts before finishing sixth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).

Melt then bounced back with a top performance for second to the top two-year-old Avantage in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

“She doesn’t like rock-hard tracks and that’s what happened in the Sistema. She just didn’t want to let go,” Tiley said. “It was good to see her bounce back in the Sires.

“She’s out until the spring. She’ll start work again in June. She’s grown since she’s been out. She looks great.”