Te Akau Ellerslie Exhibition Gallops

Champion trainer Jamie Richards took the time, amongst saddling three Group winners, to give three horses an exhibition gallop on 1 January at Ellerslie.

Dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (6 m Commands - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj), multiple stakes winner Need I Say More (No Nay Never), and up-and-comer Supreme Khan (Mongolian Khan), each had a day out in preparation for upcoming assignments.

Need I Say More (No Nay Never), ridden by Opie Bosson, and Supreme Khan (Mongolian Khan), Danielle Johnson galloped very well together. The pair worked over 1000 metres in 1:01, stretching out nicely to finish on terms.

The winner of three stakes races (James & Annie Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m), Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), Northland Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m)), and four in total, from only six starts, Need I Say More was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $130,000, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by the Te Akau Never Say Die Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

Richards said Need I Say More could trial on 12 January at Matamata, ahead of the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Karaka Million night (23 Jan.) at Ellerslie.

“He's a very fit horse, but still a bit light through the middle and next season will be his go,” Richards said. “He'll have two or three runs and could include the weight-for-age at Te Rapa,” referring to the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 13 February.

“Supreme Khan has improved since his spring campaign in the South Island, developing into a nice horse, and he'll go to the 3YO 1400 metres next Saturday (9 Jan.) at Awapuni. Depending how he goes, we could look to the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) at Ellerslie.”

Owned by Shaw's Property Holdings, Te Akau Supreme Khan Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Tale to Tell Syndicate, Supreme Khan was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $160,000, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

Not seen since a sell-out crowd came to see her win the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) in October at Hastings - recording her 12^thGroup 1 victory and one short of the all-time record held by Sunline (Desert Sun) - Melody Belle stripped in bullish condition and worked accordingly in 59 for the 1000 metres and 34 for the last 600m - main picture.

Rider Opie Bosson said: “She was on the bridle, quickened, and seemed very happy to be out there. She was flying back to the birdcage too”.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $57,500 as a yearling at Karaka, Melody Belle has won 17 of her 35 starts and $4 million in prize money.

“She's scheduled to trial on 12 January at Matamata, ahead of the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 30 January at Trentham,” Richards said.

Back