Triple Grp 1 Winner Melody Belle Flying

Triple Group One winner Melody Belle (4 m Commands - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) cemented her favouritism for the $200,000 Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, with another smart trial win on 12 December at Te Aroha.

Freshened after winning the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 22 September at Hastings, following wins in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) and Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400 metres), respectively, Melody Belle was never off the bridle when winning a trial on 27 November at Matamata, and made to work a bit harder she was equally as stylish on this occasion.

Away well from a wide gate, she was forced to travel three wide without cover in fifth, made her run wide in the straight and quickened beautifully under Shafiq to win well.

On Dead4 going, the 1000-metre trial was run in 57.6 and winning margin three-quarters of a length.

“We were pleased with how she trialled at Matamata, and she'd trained on well since then,” said Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards.

“She's trialled well again and everything is on track. She did a bit in the trial, and they ran time, but she had a blow and that will tighten her up nicely.”

Richards suggested, with three weeks until the Railway, that Melody Belle could have an exhibition gallop on her home course at Matamata, during the meeting on 19 December.

“She's a bigger, stronger mare now and handling her work really well,” Richards said. “The two weeks freshen-up after winning three in a row through the spring has done her the world of good and we can push on with a bit of confidence.”

Melody Belle has a good course record at Ellerslie, having won the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) as a two-year-old, on her way to Champion Two-Year-Old honours, and the Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) at three.

Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased the stellar filly for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, and her record stands at eight wins from 15 starts, with earnings of $1,236,406 for the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).