Melody Belle must beat tough draw
The start of the spring racing season, albeit a day early, begins today with the three-meeting Hawke’s Bay carnival at Hastings taking pride of place. The first Group One stakes race, the Tarzino Trophy, a $200,000 weight-for-age event, leaves the gates a
Six-time group one winner Melody Belle will attempt to add a seventh to her record when she lines-up in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings today.
The Jamie Richards-trained mare won the race last year before going onto win a further four group one races last season and is all but assured of being crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year.
The daughter of Commands put in a solid showing first-up at Te Rapa earlier this month when finishing fourth in the Group II Foxbridge Plate (1200m) behind rival Endless Drama.
Richards was pleased with her efforts but his hopes for a nice draw heading into the first group one race of the season received a knock when allocated barrier 15 in the 16-horse field.
‘‘We’re happy with her and she has worked up well since her good fourth, off the outside gate, in the Foxbridge,’’ he said.
Michael McNab retained the ride on Melody Belle, with Te Akau’s principal rider Opie Bosson set to miss the meeting with a minor shoulder injury.
At the same meeting Richards will line-up stablemate Equinox, the winner of two from four, in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).
‘‘He’s in good form and we’re pretty happy with his work and trials,’’ Richards said. ‘‘He’s made good progress through the winter and he’s coming up well.’’
Meanwhile, further north quality mare Avantage will resume at Ruakaka over 1200m.
Champion New Zealand twoyear-old of her year, Avantage boasts a healthy record of seven wins and two placings from nine starts, including victories in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m), Group I Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes
(1400m), Group III Gold Trail Stakes
(1200m), and Group III Birthday Card Stakes (1200m).
‘‘We’re happy with her and she should run well fresh,’’ Richards said. ‘‘Although hard to get a line on her given she trialled twice in rainaffected conditions, we are looking forward to getting her up there on good ground.’’
Exciting galloper Te Akau Shark has arrived in Sydney and will kick off his Australian campaign in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 7 as a leadin race to the Epsom Handicap (1600m) at the same course on October 5.
Te Akau Shark, who is partowned by Cronulla-Sutherland Shark’s NRL captain Paul Gallen, will be ridden by champion jockey James McDonald in the Tramway. NZ Racing Desk