Melody Belle nabs 11th group 1 victory
RACING
WELLINGTON: In a thrilling finish to the Windsor Park Plate at Hastings it was the Jamie Richardstrained pair of Melody Belle and Avantage who produced a onetwo result for their Matamata mentor.
Punters had found it hard to split the two highclass mares leading into the race and so it proved on the day as they hunted down upset Tarzino Trophy winner Callsign Mav in the final stages of the group 1 1600m feature before hitting the line locked together.
After some deliberation, it was last year’s Hawke’s Bay triple crown winner Melody Belle who got in the deciding stride for rider Troy Harris as she captured the 11h group 1 win of her illustrious career.
The Commands 6yrold answered her critics in the best possible fashion after returning from an underwhelming Australian campaign recently following two lacklustre runs in Sydney.
Richards had an inkling she was somewhere near her best during the week and so it proved as she showed her old grit and determination to head off Avantage, who looked to have her measure within the shadows of the winning post.
“It was a lovely ride by Troy, who had her in the right spot all the way,” Richards said.
“I just got a feeling on Thursday morning that she was back somewhere near where she needed to be.
“Troy came in and said that she gave him a bit of confidence [with her trackwork].
“She’s a wonderful mare and it’s a credit to everyone who has looked after her all the way through, right from the time that Dave [Ellis] bought her and the team that has looked after her here and in Sydney.
“I honestly don’t believe that she was going that bad in Sydney but she was running into proper horses without a lot of luck. Now she’s back in New Zealand and she’s loving it.”
Richards advised the mare will probably be set for the group 1 Livamol Classic over 2040m on the last day of the Hastings carnival on October 17, when she will most likely clash with Avantage again.
TAB bookmakers reacted to that news by installing Melody Belle as the $2.40 fixedodds favourite for the race ahead of Avantage at $3.20.
It was Melody Belle’s 16th career victory from 33 starts, and takes her stakes earnings in excess of $3.67 million.
Stablemate Avantage lost no admirers after going within an inch of victory while local runner Callsign Mav showed his Tarzino trophy win was no fluke after looking to have his rivals in trouble when he dashed clear at the 300m. — NZ Racing Desk