Winning Debut for Melody Belle Sibling

Media Release - Sunday October 27

Exaltation, a three-year-old half-sister by Not a Single Doubt to star mare Melody Belle, turned in an impressive debut victory when winning the Helston & Associates Maiden (1200) at Riccarton on Saturday for trainer Jamie Richards.

$900,000 Karaka purchase Exaltation is a winner - Race ImagesA $900,000 yearling purchase at Karaka by Te Akau principal David Ellis, Exaltation looks to have inherited a fair dose of the family ability, extending nicely under a patient Chris Johnson ride to win with plenty in hand.

“That was a good win from a filly that we’ve always liked,” Richards said.  

“She was an expensive yearling that copped an injury as a two-year-old, which held her up and we’ve had a frustrating run of hold-ups with her.

“She trialled okay in July, but never appreciated the heavy winter ground and we gave her a bit of time. But, she’s through all the hold-ups now and can only continue to improve. We thought she was a 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) filly, but unfortunately we just ran out of time and we’ll just go quietly now.

“The team in the South Island has been through a frustrating period, but I’d like to thank Dad (Paul Richards) and the staff for continuing to do their utmost and hopefully the weather will be in our favour from now on.”

Richards suggested a likely target could be a three-year-old 1400m race on the middle day of New Zealand Cup and Show Week at Riccarton.

“She’ll come home after that and we can get her ready for races on the other side of Christmas,” he said. “She could well be a very nice filly in the making.”

Te Akau principal David Ellis had the distinction of buying Melody Belle as a yearling at Karaka, and following inspections was keen to purchase her half-sister, from the draft of Haunui Farm, at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale.

Both fillies were bred by Marie Leicester and Exaltation is raced by the Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies Breeding Syndicate.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for the people that invested in my fillies syndicate,” Ellis said. “Since we bought this filly, Melody Belle has won eight Group Ones. So, as you can imagine she’s got fantastic residual value. But, it’s a hell of a bonus to see her come out and win under a stranglehold.

“The magic man (Chris Johnson) doesn’t ride very much for Te Akau, but, boy, he’s got a great strike rate for the team over the years.

“It was a great thrill to see her win on debut. We’ve got two other nice fillies for the syndicate and just haven’t had any luck with them, but their day in the sun will come. The syndicate has been so patient and for them to be rewarded with the win gave me the biggest thrill I’ve had for a long time.”

Exaltation is a daughter of Not A Single Doubt and comes from the famed Belle family, fashioned over generations.

“I’ve been watching fillies from this family racing for the past 40 years,” Ellis said. “Their breeders, the Sarten family, and their daughter Marie Leicester, have always done a fantastic job and are really good horse people.

“She was a standout filly from the moment I saw her at Haunui Farm, a stunner. She took everything in her stride at the sales complex and never turned a hair.

“I opened the bidding at $800,000. The first time I’d ever done that, but I knew there were a lot of people that were on the filly at the sale and I thought my only chance of getting her was to be very strong. I bought her for $900,000, but, the real bonus has been Melody Belle winning a further eight Group Ones since then.”  - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Helston & Associates Mdn 1200m

Riccarton Park Track: Slow(7) Time: 1:11.50
1
Exaltation
- 3f Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: C W Johnson 54
2
1.8
Savvy Lad
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Baheeya (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S R Weatherley 56
3
3.6
Sligo
- 6g Pins (AUS) x Trocair (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: N F Ridley Rdr: K Asano 55.5
4
4.9
Clubcard
- 3f Zacinto (GB) x Viviane (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S L Wynne 54
5
5.1
Xplosion
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Xpress (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: C A Campbell 52
6
6.9
Touchabeel
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Final Touch (NZ) (Kashani (USA))
Tnr: J & K Parsons Rdr: A Comignaghi 54
7
8.5
Elle Makfi
- 3f Makfi (GB) x Blue Quail (AUS) (Bluebird (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: K Chowdhoory 54
8
9.9
Dal Lad
- 4g Dalghar (FR) x Andalan (AUS) (Bellotto (USA))
Tnr: N White & L Callaway Rdr: Rohan Mudhoo 55.5
9
11.1
Mistress Quickly
- 5m Saperavi (NZ) x Patient (NZ) (Doctor David (USA))
Tnr: N F Ridley Rdr: C K Kwo 53.5
10
12.0
Lachie's Mate
- 3g Zacinto (GB) x Libby Surprize (NZ) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: K & P Hughes Rdr: C R Barnes 56
11
12.1
Bungay
- 4g Rothesay (AUS) x Burndiniburn (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: J R Lowry 58.5
12
16.2
The Buffer
- 3g Reliable Man (GB) x Wahaha (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: T R Moseley 56
13
18.3
She's Foxy
- 4m Showcasing (GB) x Sammy Fox (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: M P McCann Rdr: K Mudhoo 56.5
14
31.4
Bella Eve
- 3f He's Remarkable (NZ) x Danbelle (NZ) (Danske (NZ))
Tnr: C L Spittles Rdr: Ms K Williams 53
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
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.