Good Australian Campaign Debuts

The NZ Racing Desk reports:

Co-trainer Jamie Richards headed home from Sydney on Sunday monring pleased with the efforts of stable runners Melody Belle and Embellish despite both finishing fifth and sixth in their respective Sydney and Melbourne debuts.

Richards attended three-year-old filly Melody Belle at Randwick, where she came up a strong performance for fifth in the Gr. 2 Light Fingers Stakes.

“We were pleased with the effort despite her finishing out of the money,” he said. “Rory Hutchings rode her and said she travelled well to the corner but just didn't have the explosive burst of finishing speed like those good Sydney fillies.  She kept coming nicely and I think she is probably looking for further than 1200 metres now. She will go to the Surround Stakes over 1400 next, where we think she will be better suited.”

Richards felt that New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Embellish would also benefit from a step up in distance after finishing sixth over 1400 metres in the CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington.

“Embellish ran well but was a little one-paced in the run home,” he said. “He was dropping back to 1400 metres and just didn't have the acceleration when he needed it against a hot field.

“Provided he comes through the run okay he will step up to the mile in the Australian Guineas next. It doesn't get any easier for him but more ground will definitely be in his favour.”