Breeding & Racing Magazine

Te Akau Pair Relishing NSW Preparation

Leaving a couple of their star gallopers over in New South Wales to spell after their autumn campaigns is proving to be a masterstroke by Te Akau principal David Ellis. The stable’s travelling foreman Ashley Handley also stayed in Australia to oversee the pair and her presence is proving to be invaluable for trainer Jamie Richards, with border restrictions ruling out any travel plans for the young horseman. “David Ellis made the decision after the (Sydney Autumn) carnival to leave the horses (Melody Belle & Probabeel) there and Ashley Handley, who works for us, took a bit of a break and she stayed over there and welcomed the horses back in after they’d spent six weeks in the paddock,” Richards said. “We’re really glad that we did that because they’re coming up well.”

Melody Belle is in good shape (pic: Trish Dunell)