Belle seals Bosson G1 haul
MELODY Belle secured her fourth Group One title for the season, when she out-toughed her rivals in the Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m), at Otaki yesterday.
Fresh off victory in the G1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, the Jamie Richardstrained four-year-old was confidently expected to prevail, despite being dealt a blow earlier in the week when she drew barrier 13 in the 14-horse field.
The victory also brought up a rare milestone for rider Opie Bosson, who has now been victorious in every Group One race that is run in New Zealand.
‘‘I enjoyed winning that as it is the only Group One I haven’t won in New Zealand, so to get the whole lot, I am quite proud,’’ he said.
‘‘This race always clashes with Matamata, so I haven’t ridden in it a lot, but to be on a quality mare like her, I knew I was in with a good chance.
‘‘She is just a professional racehorse who never knows when to lie down.’’
Luck was on the Commands mare’s side when rain on Friday and yesterday morning left the Otaki track rated a slow 7, with the pattern of the day favouring horses who made their runs out wide in the home straight.
Bosson followed that recipe to the letter as he positioned the mare nicely in behind the speed, despite travelling wide for the better part of the first 800m.
Melody Belle was travelling easily as she moved into contention before Bosson sent her to the extreme outside. Hitting the front at the 300m mark the glamour mare kept up a powerful run to defeat local galloper Wyndspelle, with Takanini visitor Consensus fighting bravely for third. RACE IMAGES PN
Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate manager, John
Galvin, was on hand to witness the victory from the mare purchased for $57,500. ‘‘She’s amazing isn’t she,’’ he said.
‘‘She has been the benchmark horse of the season, but you still have to get out there and do it.
‘‘This one is really special. If you said at the start of the season you would run in seven races and win five of them, a Group Two and four Group One’s, you wouldn’t believe it.
‘‘So, it is very special.’’
The win took Melody Belle’s career record to 10 wins from 19 starts, and over $1.5 million.