Milestones aplenty in Melody Belle win
The stunning victory by Melody Belle in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday marked several milestones for those associated with the outstanding mare.
While the win provided standin rider Troy Harris with his first Group One success since 2008 it also secured Jamie Richards his 50th victory at stakes level as a trainer.
It is a remarkable achievement for the 29 year-old who is in his first full season in sole charge of the Te Akau Racing stables after commencing his career at the Matamata operation in partnership with Stephen Autridge.
Richards was philosophical about the achievement when quizzed about it after the event.
‘‘My focus is on the horses that we prepare and I guess if I’m doing my job properly then those type of records become a bonus along the way.’’
Richards was quick to admit that any prospect of achieving the 50 stakes win mark seemed a remote possibility as Melody Belle appeared to be struggling mid-way through Saturday’s contest. ‘‘I had just about given up on her as she didn’t seem to be travelling at all well coming to the home bend,’’ Richards said.
‘‘My thoughts drifted a bit to what had happened last time at Trentham and maybe she was trying to tell us she needed a break. When she picked up in the straight and finished off like that it made it a very special win.
Melody Belle will now head to the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (1600m) at Otaki on February 23 before being sent to the spelling paddock.
Richards also confirmed that exciting two-year-old Probabeel will contest the Gr.3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 16, a pre-cursor to a tilt at the Gr.1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at the same venue three weeks later.
‘‘She (Probabeel) had ten days in the paddock after winning the Karaka Million and really thrived,’’ he said. ‘‘She has come back looking a picture so we’re excited to be able to confirm where she will be going next.’’
● Meanwhile Matamata galloper On The Rocks provided rider Jake Bayliss with his second New Zealand Group One prize when he stormed to victory in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes
(2000m). Australian-born Bayliss, who is having his second extended riding stint in New Zealand, had picked up his first elite level victory when successful on Volpe Veloce in the 2018 Railway
(1200m).
Brought to New Zealand in
2017 to ride for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, Bayliss repaid their faith with a superb effort to guide On The Rocks to victory .
Bayliss had the Alamosa entire well-placed in midfield early on before setting out after the pacemakers with 600m to run. He tracked hot favourite Danzdanzdance into the race before angling into the clear to challenge at the 300m mark.
On The Rocks quickly ran to the front and hit the finish line over a length clear from outsiders Tiptronic and Elusive Treasure with Danzdanzdance weakening to finish fifth.