Bosson After Group 1 Set

The Informant reports:

Opie Bosson has won every Group One race in New Zealand except the Haunui Farm WFA Classic at Otaki, and the champion jockey will try to complete the set (today) aboard star mare Melody Belle.

“It's the only one I haven't won, so it would be great to do it this weekend.”

Bosson has more than 40 Group One victories to his name in New Zealand, winning some of our biggest races multiple times including a record-breaking seven in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

But Otaki's weight-for-age showpiece has so far eluded him, with his best results being placings aboard Jazzac in 1998, Integrate (1999), Vinaka (2004) and Fiscal Madness (2008).

“It's the only one I haven't won, so it would be great to do it this weekend,” Bosson told The Informant. “I haven't ridden in it very many times, because it always clashes with the big Matamata meeting.

“But I'm looking forward to it this year and hopefully Melody Belle will be the one to do it. She worked very well this (Tuesday) morning, she did it really professionally and felt great.”

Bosson is unbeaten in three rides on Melody Belle - the Karaka Million and Gr. 2 Queensland Sires' Produce in 2017, and last year's Gr. 3 Mongolian Khan Trophy at Ellerslie.

Shafiq Rusof and Troy Harris have been in the saddle for the Commands mare's outstanding Group One treble in this season's Tarzino Trophy, Windsor Park Plate and BCD Group Sprint.

Trainer Jamie Richards took special satisfaction from Melody Belle's last-start win in the BCD Group Sprint, which was a triumphant turnaround following her 16^th placing as favourite in the Telegraph at Trentham three weeks earlier.

“It was a huge relief to all of us when she bounced back so well from that form blip in the Telegraph,” he said. “She's ticked over nicely since then and has worked well on Saturday and Tuesday. We're happy with where she's at.

“To win four Group Ones in a single season would be a remarkable achievement by this mare. She's had a great campaign. She's probably getting close to the end of the preparation now and will go out for a nice, long spell, and then we can start getting her ready for the spring.”

Melody Belle's opposition in a star-studded field on Saturday include the Group One winners Shadows Cast, Volpe Veloce, Consensus and Ladies First.

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