Exciting two-year-old Yourdeel, a leading contender for the title of New Zealand Champion 2YO for 2018-2019, picked up his second G1 victory in a row when victorious in the G1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday.

Yourdeel, who had also triumphed in the G1 Sistema Stakes over 1200m earlier in the month, justified favouritism with a thrilling win in Saturday’s seven furlong race.

The gelded son of Dundeel and the Red Ransom mare Miss Zapper looked a forlorn hope at the top of the Awapuni straight as he spotted pacemaker First Rock a conservative eight lengths.

First Rock was still in front with 150m to run but the challengers were coming out wide with Yourdeel and Aretha leading the charge.

Rider Opie Bosson had Yourdeel in full flight at the 50m as he blazed past his rivals to score by just on a half-length with Aretha snatching second from a gallant Bella Mente who clung to third from Aalaalune.

Yourdeel, now a winner of four of his six starts, hails from the same family as six time G1 winner and New Zealand champion Melody Belle (herself a previous winner of the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes) and Cheveley Stud’s exciting young stallion, and multiple G1 winner Wylie Hall.

Yourdeel’s fourth dam Electric Belle also rates as the granddam of hugely promising Redoute’s Choice sire Wylie Hall.

The latter has now had three first crop winners, from just seven runners, including Storm Bird Stakes winner Twilight Moon and debut victors De La Cruz and Wily Lass.