6x Grp 1 Winner Melody Belle Returns

NZ Racing Desk & Te Akau report:

Multiple Group One-winning mare Melody Belle is back in work in preparation for a busy spring campaign.

The four-year-old daughter of Commands is likely to be named New Zealand Horse of the Year after her five Group One victories this season and the darling of the New Zealand turf is being set to better that mark next season.

The Jamie Richards-trained runner took out the first two legs of the Hawke's Bay Spring Carnival last year and will target all three legs next season after proving she can handle the 2040m distance of the Gr.1 Livamol Classic after victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in March.

“She left Te Akau Stud last week in magnificent order," said David Ellis who of course selected and purchased the champion mare for just $52,500 at Karaka.

"We could not have been happier with her, she spelled brilliantly here at the farm together with Sword of Osman and Te Akau Shark, so they were quite a trio to behold!"

Melody Belle will likely head to the trials twice, likely towards the end of July and then Te Teko which is an important date in the calendar for many of Te Akau's Spring horses. From there she will look to defend her Group 2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate title at Te Rapa before targeting the Hawkes Bay Group 1 Triple Crown.

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