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Multiple Group 1 winner settled in at Sydney base ahead of Group 1
The 14 time Group 1 winner Melody Belle (Commands) has reportedly settled into her Randwick base ahead of run in the HE Tancred Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Last seen breaking Sunline’s (Desert Sun) record for the most Group 1s won by a New Zealand horse in the New Zealand Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) on March 6, the daughter of Commands (Danehill) will be tackling 2400 metres for the first time on Saturday and trainer Jamie Richards has no qualms about the distance, believing the mare will thrive.
“I think she has been looking for it for quite some time, but we just haven’t had the right opportunity to try her at that trip,” he said.
“She got caught out in the spring against the Aussie sprinters in Sydney, so she clearly needs more ground than that. She is probably not quite good enough at a mile as she gets a bit older to be competitive in a Doncaster or a fillies and mares Coolmore.
“Once you get her up to 2000 metres and even a mile and a half, as we find ourselves on Saturday, I think it is a really nice opportunity for her.
“I think we have been able to dodge some of the real big guns. It’s a bonus for us that a horse like Verry Elleegant isn’t in there.
“I am looking forward to seeing how she is going to be able to cope with it.
“I believe it is going to be no problem for her. We will just ride her quietly, get her relaxed and breathing and give her a chance to build into it from the half-mile onwards.”
While it will be the last time many of Te Akau’s staff will see the record-breaking mare, Richards is hoping he will be able to cross the Tasman to watch her race for the final time.
“A few of the staff were sad to see her go, but I haven’t said my goodbyes yet,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get this (travel) bubble up and going and we might be able to get to Queensland to watch her race, or maybe even watch her be sold.
“She has done a wonderful job for everybody and feels like she is going on another one of her road trips. Hopefully I will be able to catch up with her again soon.”
Connections of the mare will be hoping she can add to her Group 1 haul in Australia, with the mare set to be offered at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast on May 25.
