No All Star Mile for Melody Belle

Media Release - Tuesday February 26

Melody Belle is coming off the back of her fifth Group One victory, but her connections are resisting the urge of accepting a wildcard for the A$5million All Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington next month.

Melody Belle - Trish DunnellRaced by Fortuna Syndications, Melody Belle was on the radar of Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter after her win in the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday, but Syndicate manager John Galvin said they have elected to bypass the race.

"I fielded a call from Greg Carpenter who advised that Melody Belle was in contention for a wildcard entry," Galvin said.

"Trainer Jamie Richards and I had previously discussed our position and we had decided that the All Star Mile, attractive as it was, was not the right race for our mare at this time.

"To travel to Australia to take on their best milers in this event, when already deep into a campaign that commenced last August, was not in the best interests of Melody Belle we had decided."

The daughter of Commands will now potentially line-up at Ellerslie next month in an attempt to add a sixth Group One win to her record in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).

"She has yet to contest a race over the 2000m distance," Galvin said.

"Given her performance in the Haunui, trainer Jamie Richards and rider Opie Bosson hold the view that 2000m will hold no fear for her.

"This race presents as an ideal opportunity for her final race of the 2018/19 season."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.