Te Akau's "Season That Was" continues ...

Group/Listed win Number 16 (of 18) for the season for Te Akau New Zealand Jamie Richards and the team was delivered courtesy of the "Queen of the Season" - a remarkable fifth Group 1 for Melody Belle - we are told no New Zealand horse has ever won FIVE domestic Group 1 races in one season - you gorgeous girl ...

In winning her fifth Group One race this season, with victory in the weight-for-age $200,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on 9 March at Ellerslie, Melody Belle(4 m Commands - Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) surpassed previous Te Akau record holder Darci Brahma (Danehill).

Both purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis, Melody Belle notched her sixth Group One victory, to edge ahead of the five by subsequent Champion stallion Darci Brahma.

On unseasonal Heavy10 footing, Melody Belle and dual Group One winner Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman) launched into battle wide on the track before Melody Belle gained ascendency near the line.

“I saw the grey head (Danzdanzdance) come up beside me and thought we're in for a fight here,” said jockey Opie Bosson. “I thought she might have had me, but my little mare, geez, she just doesn't know when to lie down.”

The Group One win was also a milestone for rider Opie Bosson, who, after equalling the record (62) when winning the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) aboard stable-mate Yourdeel (Dundeel), became the highest Group One winning rider with 63 victories. Bosson surpassed legendary jockey Lance O'Sullivan (62).

And for Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards, two Group Ones on the day levelled him in front on the Training Premiership with 76 wins, increased his stakes winning tally to 16, leading in prize money, and the sharpest strike rate (4.7) amongst the top 20 trainers. 

Looking a shots eye for Horse of the Year honours, Melody Belle was bought for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, and the Champion Two-Year-Old has now won 11 of her 19 starts, with earnings of $1,625,406 for the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin). 

“I said during the week it was going to be good to see two really good mares go toe to toe and thankfully we've come out on top,” Richards said.

“Full credit to the horse, the staff at home, and the jockey, they've done a terrific job and she goes to the paddock hopefully Horse of the Year.”

Bred by Marie Leicester, from a family started by her parents (James & Annie Sarten), Ellis recalled being aware of the family in his formative racing years.

“When I was a late teenager, I never missed a meeting here at Ellerslie,” he said. “I was a racing decibel, had no money, trying to make a few dollars on the punt, to supplement the $35 per week I made working on a farm.

“I loved the old Melody Belle that the Sarten's bred. She was a Taipan mare that was trained by my hero, Ray Verner, and ridden by David Peake. I loved the family and it's amazing to think I've been able to buy the new Melody Belle, for the reserve price, and see her do so well. 

“Melody Belle is a typical example of what I'm trying to buy. Horses that will race at two, improve to be better at three, better at four, and I think she'll have her best season next year as a five-year-old.

“Jamie's management of her has been quite incredible. She trialled in July, won her first start in August, a Group Two, and she's been beautifully placed to win five Group Ones. And it's such a proud day for us to win two Group Ones.”

Speaking about Opie Bosson, Ellis said: “He's the absolute best. He's a champion. For Opie to break the great mans (Lance O'Sullivan) record for Group One wins is just incredible.”

Breeder Marie Leicester said: “She's just absolutely amazing and so tough. She's showed today just how tough she is. It's an absolute buzz. 

“The 2000 metres held no concerns. Tri Belle actually won this race in 1987, when it was the Air Zealand Stakes. Star Belle won a St Leger, up to 2700m, and Annie Higgins that I raced a few years ago won up to 2400 metres in the Waikato, and Counties, Cups, so I had no fears.”

Melody Belle was strapped by Teina Walters. “He's just a champion bloke, Teina,” Ellis said. “He's a guy that inspires a lot of other young New Zealanders and we're lucky to have him in our team.”

Footnote: 

Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “Opie rode six Group One winners this season for the second time in his career and going back to the 2003-04 season he rode seven, starting off with Distinctly Secret in the Kelt Capital Stakes, which was a huge thrill for me because we bred the horse, and King's Chapel in the 2000 Guineas for us. It just shows his dominance at Group One level. He may not have ridden the most wins this season, but if we're rewarding excellence then I think six Group One wins gives him a really strong hand for the Champion Jockey title, especially when the next best was two.”

Bosson has won the Champion Jockey titles on three times previously.  

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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