Melody Belle Equals the Mighty Sunline with G1 Thorndon Mile Win

Media Release - Saturday January 30

Dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Melody Belle has equalled the record of the mighty mare Sunline after completing her 13th career Group One win when taking out the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

Opie Bosson brings Melody Belle back to the Trentham birdcage in front of an adoring crowd  Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

The Jamie Richards-trained mare was having her first start since finishing a game third in the Gr.1 McKinnon Stakes (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 and Deerfield, 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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Melody Belle makes it Group One win number 13 with a comfortable victory at Trentham  Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

Purchased by David Ellis (CNZM) 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.

An emotional Bosson 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 One level and more than $4.1m in prizemoney, with Bosson aboard for nine of those career wins and six Group Ones.

The race was marred when second favourite Rock On Wood went amiss at the 700m and was pulled up. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Thorndon Mile Gr1 1600m

Trentham Track: Dead(6) Time: 1:38.05
1
Melody Belle
- 6m Commands (AUS) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 57
2
1.3
Sinarahma
- 6m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: D S Johnson 53.5
3
1.4
Deerfield
- 7g Falkirk (NZ) x The Dazzler (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
4
4.2
Tobilicious
- 5g Natural Destiny (AUS) x Sophie Louise (NZ) (Postponed (USA))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: K Asano 55
5
5.5
Shadows Cast
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Ages Past (NZ) (Slavic (USA))
Tnr: M K Oulaghan Rdr: L J Allpress 55
6
8.0
The Mitigator
- 6g Master Of Design (AUS) x Charming Ruby (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: P N McKay Rdr: S M Mc Kay 58
7
8.4
Communique
- 4m Redwood (GB) x Al Bayan (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S Autridge & K Shailer Rdr: C J Grylls 53.5
More Reading...
Xtravagant Gelding Nadal Brilliant in Meteorite
Ciaron Maher has a stranglehold on pop-up and slot races and was back in the winner's circle again after the inaugural running of the $1,000,000 The Ladbrokes Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Kiwi Bred Comeback King Globe wins Cranbourne Cup
The super-talented Globe put a troubled 14 months behind him with a powerful all-the-way win in Saturday’s A$500,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m).
Storyville Downs the Colts in G2 WA Guineas
The WA Champion Fillies Stakes heroine Storyville earned a shot at the Group 1 Northerly Stakes after she gave the colts a start and beating in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II White Claw - WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot.
Wings Of Song Makes Stunning Return
A star of the carnivals in Tasmania and South Australia, Wings Of Song made a triumphant return from a 30-week break to capture Saturday’s Rosemont Stud Pendant (1400m) at Cranbourne.
Another Feature Win for La Crique
La Crique sprouted wings in the Pukekohe straight on Saturday to come from a near-hopeless position and win the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in a photo finish.
Gringotts Continues Kiwi Winning Run in $1million The Gong
Kiwi bred Gringotts continued his coming-of-age campaign with a powerhouse front-running performance under 60kg to win Saturday’s Group III A$1 million The Illawarra Mercury Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange.
Sires With Winners - Friday November 22
Here is the full list of 46 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.