Irish Cream to Follow Blueprint

NZ Racing Desk reports:

The connections of Irish Cream are planning to follow the same path as Group One-winning stablemate Melody Belle to the Karaka Million.

The daughter of O'Reilly will make her debut in the Tavistock Owners Syndicate 2YO at Ruakaka tomorrow and rates a big chance after a trials win at Te Teko recently.

“She's a lovely filly who has done everything right,” co-trainer Jamie Richards said. “Obviously it's only eight days after the trial, which is not ideal, but it's a chance of a trip away. Hopefully she'll jump and put herself in the race.

“This is the same race Melody Belle won first-up last year, and we plan to follow a similar path to the Karaka Million if we think she is up to it.”

Melody Belle went on to finish third in the Gr. 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes, then was unplaced at Ellerslie in a lead-up to the Karaka Million before winning it convincingly. She then went on to win the Gr. 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes and the Gr. 2 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes.

A $210,000 purchase at Karaka by David Ellis, Irish Cream is from a three-time winning Zabeel mare Zantelagh and her second dam is the Gr. 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Dantelah.