Melody Belle survives scare to make Sydney swansong
Melody Belle gets a last chance at winning a feature race in Sydney with the 14-time Group I winner cleared to take her place in today’s $1.5 million Group I Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill.
The mare’s place in her first attempt at a 2400-metre race was in doubt on Wednesday when stewards reported she was tying-up after her track gallop.
It is an issue that the glamour mare has battled with throughout her career, although trainer Jamie Richards was confident he had the solution.
‘‘We have had episodes like this with her before and we know what we need to do to get her right,’’ he said.
Racing NSW confirmed she could start yesterday when blood tests taken from the mare were received by Racing NSW general manager of veterinary services Dr Toby Koenig.
‘‘Trainer Jamie Richards has advised the mare has responded well to treatment and has been exercised by swimming since Wednesday without displaying any signs of tying-up,’’ the report said.
Richards noted she got caught out in the spring against the Aussie sprinters in Sydney, so she needs more ground.
‘‘She is probably not quite good enough at a mile as she gets a bit older to be competitive in a Doncaster [Group I, 1600m] or a fillies and mares Coolmore [Group I, 1600m],’’ Richards said.
Melody Belle will match strides with another Kiwi campaigner in the Tancred Stakes, The Chosen One.
The horse’s co-trainer Forsman is hoping to time his run to Sydney perfectly ahead of several stable stars stepping out in feature races over the autumn carnival.
Forsman flew to Sydney yesterday to oversee the final preparations of Aegon, The Chosen One and The Frontman (who raced as Frontman in New Zealand) ahead of upcoming Group I assignments and hopes that a trans-Tasman bubble is in place in time for his return to New Zealand so he can avoid quarantine.
Forsman and training partner Murray Baker have two runners today at Rosehill, The Chosen One and The Frontman in the Group II Tulloch Stakes (2000m).
‘‘They’re both going great. We’ve got Aleisha [Legg, travelling foreman] over there and she’s really happy with them,’’ Forsman said.
‘‘The Frontman has drawn one, which is good, but The Chosen One has drawn a wide barrier [14 of 14], which makes it tough. He gets back anyway but he might have to settle too far back from that draw against good horses on a track that’s fast improving. From that draw, he’d probably be a better chance if the track was wetter.’’
Despite the wide draw, Forsman was delighted with Group I Caulfield Cup (2400m) placegetter The Chosen One’s condition after he was a bold second in the Group I Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa and sixth in the group III Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill three weeks ago.
Safely through the race, The Chosen One will tackle the A$2 million Group I Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 17, a race he was narrowly beaten in last year.
New Zealand Derby (2400m) placegetter The Frontman will make his Australian debut and is on trial for the A$2 million Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick seven days later. The Makfi colt, a brother to Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Bonneval, finished fifth in a 1200m trial at Randwick last week.
‘‘We expect him to run well. The only thing against him is it’s his first preparation and he’s up against some pretty handy Australian staying three year olds,’’ Forsman said.
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