Melody Belle, who, like Cheveley Stud sire Wylie Hall, descends from the mare Belle Time, made it an eighth Gr1 victory when she won at Hastings on Saturday.
The daughter of Commands equalled the record of most New Zealand Group 1 wins after dominating her opposition in the Windsor Park Plate.
Melody Belle (NZ) (Pic- Race Images PNth)
New Zealand’s reigning Horse Of The Year started an odds-on favourite and the victory brought her equal with Mufhasa (Pentire) as the most prolific Gr1 winner in New Zealand racing history.
The Jamie Richards-trained 5yo mare was produced on the outside in the home straight by Opie Bosson and unleashed a burst to score by two and three quarter lengths over Sultan Of Swing (Bachelor Duke), while Mongolian Marshal (High Chaparral) finished another nose away in third
Her close relative, and multiple Gr1 winner Wylie Hall made a bright start with his first two-year-olds last season including exported Gr3 Protea Stakes winner Twilight Moon and the very smart De La Cruz.
