A Te Akau 2YO Ruakaka Quinella

Then Informant reports:

A late change of plans worked out brilliantly for Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards as two-year-olds Melody Belle and Summer Monsoon finished first and second on debut at Ruakaka this afternoon.

The original plan had been for both of them to trial instead, but significant recent rainfall has left tracks saturated throughout the Waikato region and a trip north for today's $7,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series race suddenly became an attractive option. Today's meeting was transferred to Ruakaka from Te Aroha due to sodden track conditions.

“We originally thought they both needed another trial, but with the wet weather in the Waikato we decided to bring them to the races instead,” Richards said. “It's worked out really well.”

Melody Belle drew the inside gate in the 900-metre event and went forward to take the lead within the first 200 metres. She hugged the rail around the bend and scooted clear, scoring by an emphatic two lengths for rider Cameron Lammas. Stablemate Summer Monsoon ran on late down the outside to take second by a long neck from Inanna.

Melody Belle is by Commands out of Meleka Belle, a half-sister to the Gr. 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas placegetter Tsarina Belle and part of an iconic New Zealand thoroughbred family. The filly was bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $57,500 and is raced by John Galvin's Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate.

Today's win also earned the filly a Pearl Series bonus of $8,000.

“It's great to pick up a win today and also a nice Pearl Series bonus for the owners,” Richards said. “Barrier one was a big help for the filly today and she won well.

“She's a nice little filly that David bought at Karaka for John Galvin. He didn't pay a lot for her, but she comes from Marie Leicester's very good breed.

“Today will do her good and hopefully she's capable of running in some nice races later on.”

Richards also predicted a good future for the runner-up, Stratum colt Summer Monsoon.

“He's just a little bit green and has a lot to learn, but he finished it off well,” he said. “He'll improve a lot for this experience.”

The 900-metre event was run in 53.76 seconds on a track rated Dead5.

Main picture - Melody Belle as a yearling