With another supreme performance in Saturday’s NZ$200,000 Gr1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie, champion Karaka graduate Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) took a special new place in New Zealand racing history.
Bought for NZ$57,500 from Haunui Farm’s 2016 Premier Sale draft by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis, the incredible mare secured her 14th Gr1 victory – a new all-time record for a New Zealand thoroughbred, moving ahead of the legendary Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun).
Overall, Melody Belle has now won 19 of her 38 starts and more than $4.22 million – 73 times her purchase price.
“The Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes is named after an iconic champion of New Zealand racing, and with her win today, Melody Belle has moved past another iconic champion in Sunline,” said John Galvin, who manages the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate that races the reigning two-time Horse of the Year.
“Sunline previously held the all-time New Zealand Group One record with 13, and now Melody Belle has 14.
“Sunline won most of her Group One races in Australia and Melody Belle has done so mostly in New Zealand, but nevertheless, 14 Group One wins – we are so proud of our lovely mare.
“Just over five years ago now, David Ellis bought Melody Belle at Karaka on Fortuna’s behalf, paying only NZ$57,500. She won on debut at Ruakaka later that year, then came here to Ellerslie and won the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in 2017.
“Four years later, here we are with 14 Group One wins. It’s been absolutely incredible, and I can only pay tribute to Melody Belle as a racehorse.”
Melody Belle was ridden on Saturday by Troy Harris, who is now undefeated in four Group One rides on the history-making mare.
If a rare unplaced finish in her last start at Te Rapa last month had created any concerns around Melody Belle, she quickly laid them to rest down the Ellerslie home straight.
She was second-last coming around the home turn, but Harris brought her to the outside and sent her into full flight. She sailed past her rivals and completed an emphatic victory by a length and a quarter.
Melody Belle has now won 19 of her 38 starts and more than NZ$4.22 million in prizemoney.
“That was a fantastic win,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “She’s a wonderful mare, and what happened at Te Rapa last start wasn’t her fault.
“She is sound, happy and easy to train and loves going about her business. I’m really proud of her and she loves to prove people wrong.
“This is her farewell tour, but I’m not too sure just where she will go from here. We are looking at races in Sydney and in Brisbane. 2000 metres is her pet trip now, so we will be targeting races like that for her. She has done a wonderful job, and I’m just thrilled for everyone involved with her.”
Saturday’s New Zealand Stakes produced an all-Karaka trifecta, with Melody Belle’s top-class stablemate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) second and the Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) third.
Avantage was also bought by Ellis, who paid NZ$210,000 to secure her from The Oaks Stud’s draft at the 2017 Premier Sale. She has won 15 of her 25 starts, with eight Group One victories, and she has earned more than NZ$2.05 million. Avantage won this race 12 months ago, and through the first three months of 2021, she put together Group One victories in the Railway (1200m), Telegraph (1200m), BCD Group Sprint (1400m) and WFA Classic (1600m).
Tiptronic was a NZ$100,000 purchase from the 2015 Premier Sale. He has had 40 starts for seven wins, 11 placings and NZ$593,200 in stakes.
