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  • Melody Belle Equals Sunline's Record

    Monday, 1st February 2021

    Dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Melody Belle has equalled the record of the mighty mare Sunline after completing her thirteenth career Group 1 win when taking out the Gr1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. The Jamie Richards-trained mare was having her first start since finishing a game third in the Gr1 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. Regular rider Opie Bosson moved the 6YO mare into contention at the 600m mark, before taking command down the straight to hold off powerful challenges from Sinarahma and Deerfield. "She didn't win by a big space, but she still got the job done relatively comfortably," trainer Jamie Richards told NZ Racing Desk. "The good thing is we know she still has some improvement to come with her fitness. To equal [Sunline's] 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." 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 after the historic triumph aboard one of his favourite horses. Melody Belle has now won 18 of her 36 starts, 13 of those at Group 1 level and more than $4.1m in prizemoney, with Bosson aboard for nine of those career wins and six Group 1s.

    Melody Belle

    Melody Belle returns to scale on Saturday (pic: Race Images Peter Rubery)