Exaltation's Excellent Farewell - 4 Win Saturday

Wrapping up terrific day for Te Akau, Exaltation (5 m Not A Single Doubt - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) produced a tough effort to win the $30,000 Rating 74 2000 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

Champion trainer Jamie Richards prepared four winners, including Maven Belle (Burgundy) in Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) - the seventh win in this race for Te Akau - adding Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) earlier on the card. Burgundy Rose (Burgundy) scored at Otaki, while Amarelinha (Savabeel) and Brando (Savabeel) each placed in WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), and Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) finished third in  the Mannerism Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) at Caulfield.

A red hot run since 20 February has seen 11 wins at 2.4 strike rate, while the record setting trainer from last season with 160 wins nears another century - currently on 97, which includes 27 stakes' victories.

Impressive winning on debut as a three-year-old at Riccarton, Exaltation has been patiently handled by Richards to record her fifth win from 15 starts.

After closing late in a Rating 74 1600 metres on 23 December at Matamata, she won a corresponding event on 5 January at Otaki, and was solid without threatening (seventh) in a Rating 74 2100 metres on Wellington Cup Day (29 Jan.) at Trentham.

Rating a top three chance despite drawing out (10), oddly the NZ TAB never shared the same opinion, with fixed odds of $15.00 & $3.80 available the day beforehand and she remained luxurious ($9.60 & $2.40) on the tote.

Recording his third success of the day, rider Michael McNab was caught wide in the early rush before electing to go forward outside the leader. Although this undoubtedly added an arduous element to the trip, Exaltation never flinched and finished up holding sway in bold fashion by three quarters of a length.

Sponsored by Rich Hill @ Karaka 2022, on footing that remained Dead4 despite hot weather, Exaltation ran 2000 metres in 2:02.5, last 600m in 36.4.

“She toughed it out and won really well,” Richards said. “She has been a good consistent mare that obviously hasn't reached the heights of her half sister (Melody Belle), but she's still been a good, genuine, race mare that has certainly shown talent in the five races that she's won.

“She did a bit of work through the mid stages and looked like she was there to be shot down, but to her credit she kept kicking and won nicely.

“A big thanks to her ownership group, as she's now safely in foal to Savabeel (Zabeel) and we can all look forward to her future as a broodmare.”

Although what she achieves is not inconsequential, her claim to fame is assured as a half-sister to former stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands) - dual Horse of the Year and New Zealand record holder of 14 Group 1 wins.

Exaltation, too, was involved in milestone when becoming the 100^thwinner last season for Richards, on 28 January at Hastings, enabling the fastest century in the history of NZ racing.

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM had distinction of buying Melody Belle ($57,500) as a yearling at Karaka, and following inspections was keen to buy her half-sister, from draft of Haunui Farm, at 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale. Both bred by Marie Leicester, Exaltation is owned by Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies' Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

When purchasing Exaltation, Melody Belle had won Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) and both the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Awapuni, and the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Eagle Farm, Brisbane, along with the Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Ellerslie. Her record stood at five wins from 10 starts and $913,244, which swelled to 19 wins from 41 starts and $4.3 million prize money before selling as a broodmare for $2.6 million.

From debut winner to Group 1 winner of Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at her fifth start, with a stunning Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) victory between, Champion Two-Year-Old Melody Belle became a revelation.

“Given the 120-days a mare is allowed to race after a service date, that's the last race for Exaltation, and I'm thrilled for her ownership group that she managed to bookend her career with wins,” Ellis said.

“It's a lovely way for her to finish her racing career and being in foal to Savabeel, and as the half-sister to Melody Belle, her future as a highly commercial broodmare is assured.

“I bought her and the stakes' winner Festivity (I Am Invincible) for the same fillies' breeding syndicate, so they've had a lot of fun and success with Festivity being a stakes; winner on Boxing Day too.

“Every time Melody Belle won another group one race the owners of Exaltation were happy because it increased her value, too, with each and every win. She's a beautiful bodied mare, roomy, and has the makings of an outstanding broodmare.

“It was another great day for the stable, our owners, and congratulations to Jamie (Richards) and all our team at Matamata. Four winners, each bought or bred, and syndicated by us, so these are great results.

“Our focus is now on the yearling sales (7 - 12 March) at Karaka, and it's going to be an exciting time for everyone in racing with the sales and Auckland Cup Week at Ellerslie.”

Exaltation was strapped by Rylee Sheehan.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz