Four Taupo Wins - Lilikoi Win 2

In training for owner and breeder Sir Peter Vela, Lilikoi(3 f Charm Spirit - Barbadine, by Giant's Causeway) delivered on her promise with a smart fresh-up win in the $10,000 Celebrating Melody Belle Maiden 1200 metres on Friday at Taupo.

Fittingly, Lilikoi was guided to victory by Michael McNab, who won the first Group One of the season aboard Melody Belle (Commands) in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) in August at Hastings.

“She's taken a little while to put it all together, but she's won at her third start and great to train another winner for Sir Peter Vela,” said racing manager Libby Richards.

“She's a filly with a fair bit of natural talent and holds a nomination for the 1000 Guineas. It was a lovely ride by Michael and I thought we were going to finish first and second, but Hierarchy just peaked off a tough run to finish fourth.”

Somewhat fortunately, Lilikoi was able to scratch from a latter event, where she had drawn wide, and, instead, take advantage of drawing barrier five. From the draw, McNab secured a trailing position behind the leader approaching the 600m and once angled clear in the straight she unleashed a strong finish. 

“She was bolting and always travelling, even going down the hill, I was humming and just needed to get out,” McNab said. “She was electric when I let her go and she just cruised to the line.”

“Lilikoi has shown a lot of ability and always looked a stakes quality filly,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “She's got plenty of improvement in her and it's always a great thrill to win a race in the blue and whites and for Sir Peter Vela, who is a big supporter of Te Akau Racing.”

Lilikoi is from the first crop of triple Group One winner Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), who commenced stallion duties in 2015 at Windsor Park Stud, and the highest earning son of leading international sire and sire of sires Invincible Spirit (Green Desert). While her dam, Barbadine (Giant's Causeway), won twice to 2100 metres in the UK, capped solid form with a win over 2300 metres in NZ, and now left three individual winners.

Trainer Jamie Richards said: “She's a really nice filly and one we've had a lot of time for. She's shown a lot of natural ability and it was a lovely ride by Michael. He got out and got going at the top of the straight and that was the winning of the race. She's a filly that's got tremendous upside as she steps in distance and a real privilege to train another winner for Sir Peter. And, we've got some nice horses in the stable for him.”

The breeder of Melody Belle and past president of the Taupo Racing Club, Marie Leicester said: “The September meeting is always a very popular one for the club and for me it's very appropriate Jamie (Richards) should win this race.”

Lilikoi was strapped by Tracy Collis.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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