Boom Boom (10) Grp 1 Belle

Nine Group Ones in New Zealand, Melody Belle (5 m Commands - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) took her tally to 10 with a brilliant victory in the $1 million TAB Empire Rose Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Derby Day (Nov. 2) at Flemington, Melbourne. 

A week after Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle) finished third in the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), Melody Belle, the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year, put the icing on the cake. 

In a performance not dissimilar to her outstanding Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) win in August at Hastings, Melody Belle came from 13^th, angling clear wide on the track at the 400m, and powered past her rivals to win by one and a half lengths under the guidance of Opie Bosson.

While it may not have been the race that stops a nation, it would have had the focus of racing fans in New Zealand, and provided a stellar moment on the first day of the Melbourne Spring Carnival at Flemington. 

Under grey skies, on Soft7 footing, Melody Belle (the pick of the yard from racing.com's Jayne Ivil) closed off a $3.80 favourite, running the 1600 metres in a respectable 1:37.7 and last 600m in 36.2.

“It just goes to show how good and versatile she is,” said Bosson, who claimed his first Group One on the course since winning the VRC Oaks aboard Grand Archway (Archway). “As I said back home, she just doesn't know when to not try and every time you go out she gives 110 (percent).

“I was always travelling beautifully. I was three deep for the whole trip, so she didn't do it the easy way, but she relaxed beautifully and turning for home she was revelling through the going. So, I knew I was a chance. 

“Her wet track form is excellent, so I was the only one not really worried about the rain. I usually don't like riding in the rain, but I forgot about it today.”

Named Champion Two-Year-Old after winning the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m), Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Awapuni, and Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Eagle Farm, Brisbane, Melody Belle added five Group Ones last season and already has four to her credit since August. Her 10^thGroup One win equalled Mufhasa (Pentire), while well on her way to claiming the 11 by Rough Habit (Roughcast) and within cooee of 13 registered by Sunline (Desert Sun).

Most recently, she made history when becoming the first Hawkes Bay Triple Crown victor after winning the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 5 October at Hastings, and a decision followed to contest the Empire Rose.

“To be fair to the people that do the form, she hadn't really beaten a lot,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “But, she can only beat what's in front of her and she'd been doing it quite easily. So, we were quietly confident that she was going to run well.

“She'd had a good prep, back to mile, four weeks (since last racing), sort of suited her. Opie gave her a lovely ride and she won well. 

“This is awesome and what it's all about. Gingernuts won the Rosehill Guineas, but to be back here in Melbourne, in spring time, with one of our (NZ) best horses, it's a big thrill to be competitive. And, I'd like to give a big thank you to John Galvin, who manages the syndicate, David Ellis, my boss at home, who buys all these lovely horses for us, and the big team of staff we've got at home. They've all done a magnificent job and I'm so pleased for all of them.

“It's a proud moment to be over from New Zealand with such a great mare. She was pretty impressive and I couldn't be happier.”

There is a chance Melody Belle could contest the $2m Emirates Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) next Saturday (Nov. 9) at Flemington.

“We'll leave the option open to back-up,” Richards said. “But at any stage if she says that she's not ready, or had enough, we'll take heed of that.”

Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased Melody Belle as a yearling for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, on the account of breeder Marie Leicester. She has now won 15 of her 25 starts and $2.7 million in prize money for owners in the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

“We put in an enormous amount of work before going to the sales in search of horses like Melody Belle,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “We've bought some magnificent racehorses over the years, but for this mare to have won ten Group Ones is something else. It makes me incredibly proud and I'd like to congratulate Jamie (Richards), John (Galvin), and all the Te Akau staff.

“I got an enormous thrill to win a Group One at Flemington. We've had so many horses placed there in Group Ones over the years. Te Akau Nick finished second in the Melbourne Cup, Princess Coup was second in the McKinnon and the Australian Cup, and Distinctly Secret was a beaten a neck and a nose in the McKinnon Stakes, won by Lonhro, and it's just a fantastic day for Te Akau and the New Zealand racing industry. 

“We didn't pay a lot for Melody Belle, but she's from the incredible Belle family that Marie Leicester and her parents (James and Annie Sarten) have bred for 80 years. Mark (Walker), Jamie, and I were there together at the sales when we bought Melody Belle at Karaka. It's a really important three-way team that we've got. Mark is a trainer of the highest international standard for us in Singapore, and gives us all such good advice. I'm thrilled for Jamie to have now won his first Group One at Flemington, on what I think is one of the greatest race days of the year in Australasia, and it's just a marvellous result for all the staff that has worked tirelessly through this trying, wet, spring that we've had in the Waikato. It's a very happy day.

“I was pretty confident she'd win. And, it was terrific to see Kolding, a son of Ocean Park, win the big race (Golden Eagle) at Rosehill, today. It really franks the form of Te Akau Shark, after he finished second to Kolding in the Epsom Handicap, before finishing third in the Cox Plate. It's also a massive result for Waikato Stud and New Zealand racing. 

“Given the form and the way they're racing, I can see both Melody Belle and Te Akau Shark winning more Group One races in Australia. That's what we're trying to do. We've now got the team of staff behind us to take these horses to Australia, target their top races, and we're proving very competitive.

“It was a brilliant ride by Opie (Bosson) today. He never panicked when he was caught three wide at the back of the field. He kept her balanced and once he let her go in the straight she was very impressive, I thought.

“Interestingly, Opie is now unbeaten in seven rides on Melody Belle - just incredible.”

Melody Belle was strapped by Craig Thornton.

Back