Melody Belle dominant in 2th group 1 win
WELLINGTON: Superstar mare Melody Bell stormed home to win her 12th individual group 1 title at Hastings on Saturday.
The Jamie Richardstrained 6yrold was in a class of her own as she won her second Livamol Classic over 2040m in imperious fashion for rider Troy Harris.
The Commands mare had worked sensationally during the week which had her connections brimming with confidence leading into the contest and she did not disappoint.
Settled beyond midfield due to her outside barrier, Melody Belle was still giving the leaders a sizeable start with 600m to run. Stablemates Avantage and Prise De Fer took over rounding the home bend but Melody Belle was starting to go through her gears as she dashed to the front at the 300m with a powerful burst.
Harris had an armchair ride over the concluding stages as Melody Belle comfortably held out Avantage, who had also provided the quinella with her a fortnight ago in the Windsor Park Plate, and outsider Vadavar, who snatched third.
‘‘They only went steady for the first half of the race so there was a touch of concern, but she was explosive in the end,’’ Richards said.
µWhanganui mare Magic Wonder completed the prestigious Pakuranga Hunt CupGreat
Northern Steeplechase double with a dominant frontrunning victory at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Rider Shaun Fannin controlled the pace before skipping clear down the Ellerslie hill the last time register a ninelength victory.
Earlier, Aaron Kuru made his 500th jumping ride in New Zealand a truly memorable one when he guided the Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougaltrained The Cossack to victory in the Great Northern Hurdles. — NZ Racing Desk