Melody Belle - 7th Group 1

The hot favourite for Horse of the Year, Melody Belle (5 m Commands - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) won five Group Ones last season and defended her title in the $200,000 Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 31 August at Hastings.

Keeping her unbeaten course record intact, having won both the Tarzino and Windsor Park Plate last spring, Melody Belle produced a devastating performance. From a wide draw and slower into stride than usual, she was second last as the field settled into positions and travelled sweetly despite standing the leader 12 lengths at the 600m. When a gap opened at the 300m, one could almost sense her delight as she eyed clear air and sprinted home for an outstanding victory. 

“She got back and flashed home,” said rider Michael McNab, who guided the star mare to her seventh Group One success.

On terrific spring footing, rated Dead4, Melody Belle ran the 1400 metres in a sizzling 1:22.1 and rewarded her army of cheering supporters with generous tote odds of $5.60 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB.

“It was a no panic ride after she stepped a stride slow, but they went a really good tempo which probably worked in our favour,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “Where she came from today was quite unbelievable and I'm really proud of her.

“You can't fault her. I kicked myself first-up, we just needed to do a bit more in her second trial at Te Rapa, and she was beaten fair and square that day (Foxbridge Plate). But, I knew 1400 metres was really going to suit her and she's done a terrific job for us, off the speed, on the speed, she's just a champion. Big thanks to the staff at home that have done a terrific job to get her here in really good shape. 

“She's always been a poor sort of eater and as she's got a little bit older she's been able to handle racing, and certainly came through that last race well, ate well, and did everything right. 

“Big thanks to John Galvin and his great team of owners, Dave (Ellis) for buying the mare, and bring it on over the next couple of weeks back here.”

Melody Belle is scheduled to defend her title in the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 21 September, before contesting the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 5 October, both at Hastings.

Melody Belle was purchased by Ellis as a yearling for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm. She has now won 12 of her 22 starts and $1.74 million in prize money owners in the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), who turned down a whopping $3.25m at the end of her previous campaign, in March.

“I think that's her greatest win, ever, just the way she did it,” Galvin said. “From a wide draw, our plan was to be up on the speed, if we could, but she didn't step. As Michael said when he dismounted, he never thought in his wildest dreams that he'd be that far back. So, she had to do it all, but she did it. She's a frigging champion.

“I'm extremely proud. People often say to me, John, you're so unemotional on race days, but today I feel quite emotional. It's great. David Ellis picked this horse out for us and it's been an incredible ride.

Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “It was a very exciting win, especially the way she did it, and she really is a true champion. 

“I've often said that although she had such a stellar season at four, Melody Belle could be even better as a five-year-old and she did so well in the spelling paddock at Te Akau Stud this year. Eating such a big feed, I knew she'd take a run to get back into the zone, but I was unbelievably impressed by her effort and the ride by Michael McNab - one of the great rides of the year in New Zealand.

“He's a young guy that's working really hard and taking his fitness and professionalism to the next level. He's so fit, riding an enormous amount of work - 12 to 15 horses each morning, six days a week - and he's really becoming an important part of the team, along with Troy (Harris) and Opie (Bosson). It's great to see all three of them working so hard and getting rewarded with the winners.

“Michael's a very talented rider and he's been coming up to the farm after riding work in Matamata, and working out with me in the gym, and giving it his heart and soul. I could see it was only a matter of time before everything started unfolding for him.”

On the back of her second-up victory, Ellis expects Melody Belle to keep improving. “She'll be hard to beat in the next two legs of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown and we can make plans for the rest of her season after that.

“The fantastic start to the season is little wonder, because we've got an amazing team of staff at all levels and they're all working their butts off,” Ellis added. “This morning we worked horses in Melbourne, Sydney, Christchurch and Matamata, and there's lots more wins coming for our owners that have backed us with their support, and we're all incredibly excited about what lies ahead for them this season.”

Sponsoring for the ninth consecutive year, previously with Makfi, before Tarzino, Westbury Stud GM Russell Warwick said: “What can you say. It's a Group One race won by a true Group One horse, and back-to-back wins by Melody Belle. She's a great filly and congratulations to John Galvin, Jamie Richards, David Ellis and the team at Te Akau, and successful rider Michael McNab. She was the class act in the race and she truly performed that way today. 

“Also, I'd like to congratulate Melody Belle's breeder Marie Leicester. Last year Marie won a free service to Tarzino, with that foal now due, and she's just won another free service to Tarzino. You and your family have been breeding horses for a long time with a lot of success.” 

Warwick was thrilled to have sponsored the first Group One of the season in New Zealand, and looking forward to the first Tarzino (Tavistock) yearlings being sold in January at Karaka.

Melody Belle was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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