Richards happy

Co-trainer Jamie Richards headed home from Sydney yesterday pleased with the efforts of stable runners Melody Belle and Embellish despite them both finishing unplaced in their initial Australian assignments. Richards was with three-year-old filly Melody Belle who made her Sydney debut with a strong effort for fifth in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m). ‘‘We were pleased with the effort despite her finishing out of the money,’’ he said. ‘‘Rory Hutchings rode her and said she travelled well to the corner but just didn’t have the explosive burst of finishing speed like those good Sydney fillies.’’ Richards believed New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Embellish would also benefit from a step up in distance after finishing 6th over 1400m at Flemington. ‘‘Embellish ran well but was a little one-paced in the run home,‘‘ he said.