Melody Belle equals the mighty Sunline with Trentham victory
Dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Melody Belle (6 m Commands – Meleka Belle by Iffraaj) has equalled the record of the mighty mare Sunline (Desert Sun) after completing her 13th career Group 1 win when taking out the Thorndon Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Trentham yesterday.
The Jamie Richards-trained mare was having her first start since finishing a game third in the Mackinnon Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) during the Melbourne spring carnival in November but was confidently expected to dispose of her seven rivals after a sparkling run at the Matamata trials earlier in the month.
With regular rider Opie Bosson in the saddle, the six-year-old mare travelled kindly in midfield throughout before moving into contention at the point of the home turn.
Bosson had her idling along nicely as she effortlessly slipped into top gear and took command of the race out in the middle of the track. Despite being hotly challenged by eventual placegetters Sinarahma (Darci Brahma) and Deerfield (Falkirk), Melody Belle had too much class as she cruised home by just over a length at the post.
Richards was all smiles as the appreciative on-course crowd welcomed his charge back to the birdcage with a standing ovation.
“She didn’t win by a big space, but she still got the job done relatively comfortably,” he said. “The good thing is we know she still has some improvement to come with her fitness.
“I can remember Sunline racing and the race she won in Hong Kong more so than anything else. To equal her record is wonderful as she was the mare of the world and while we’ve done it mainly in New Zealand, it is still very good to equal it.
“I’m very proud of her as she has done so much for my career and has flown the flag for all of us. She’s a competitor who loves doing her job, so I can’t thank her and everyone involved with her enough.”
Purchased by David Ellis for $57,500 out of the Haunui Farm draft during the 2016 National Yearling Sale, Melody Belle is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate that is managed by John Galvin. And while Galvin was thrilled to see his mare match one of the greatest to grace the New Zealand turf, he also recognises that their achievements are different.
“I think we have to acknowledge just how great a racehorse Sunline was,” Galvin said. “Unlike Melody Belle, most of her Group 1 wins were in Australia and Hong Kong. She was a true, true superstar. For us to emulate Sunline’s Group 1 record, we’re very humbled and very proud, but I think we do need to acknowledge what Sunline achieved in her era.”
As Galvin told ANZ Bloodstock News yesterday, no decisions will be made about what path Melody Belle will take this autumn until she contests the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Te Rapa on February 13.
“Melody Belle will definitely go to Australia,” Galvin said. “At this stage, our planning only extends to the Herbie Dyke. After that, there are a couple of pathways – there is another nice Group 1 for her here in New Zealand on March 13, the Bonecrusher Stakes at 2000 metres, it’s a race she’s won before. It’s the same day as the All-Star Mile, for which she is nominated and we haven’t ruled that out.”
An emotional Bosson, who faced an uphill battle to make Melody Belle’s 57-kilogram impost and even had to forego rides earlier in the card to ensure he could get his weight down, had to fight back tears as he described his feelings about one of his favourite horses.
“I got a bit of a shock at the barriers when I was talking to Shaun McKay on The Mitigator, who I thought would make the pace, but he said he was going to ride him back,” Bosson said.
“I wasn’t quite sure what to do then although she jumped well and there wasn’t a lot of speed early, so she got some cover and relaxed beautifully for me. She is just unbelievable and is just so special to me.”
Melody Belle has now won 18 of her 36 starts, 13 of those at Group 1 level and more than $4.1 million in prize-money, with Bosson aboard for nine of those career wins and six Group 1 scores.
The race was marred when second favourite Rock On Wood (Redwood) went amiss at the 700 metres and was pulled up. The Captain Cook Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner was found to have fractured a left hind fetlock and was euthanised.