Debut Win Thrusts Melody Belle (NZ) into Karaka Million Contention

Well-bred filly Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) put her name forward in the race to the Karaka Million when she scored a stylish debut win at Ruakaka on Wednesday.

Owned by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, the filly was ridden by Cameron Lammas for Matamata trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards. She quickly made the lead in the $7,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (900m) and kicked clear in the straight for a convincing two-length victory.

Melody Belle earned $4,375 for the win, moving her into equal fourth place alongside Waldorf (NZ) (Highly Recommended) in the order of entry for the 2017 Karaka Million at Ellerslie Racecourse on January 29, New Zealand’s equal richest race.

Melody Belle is also nominated for the Pearl Series and picked up an additional $8,000 bonus for Wednesday’s win.

“It’s great to pick up a win today and also a nice Pearl Series bonus for the owners,” Richards said. “Barrier one was a big help for the filly today and she won well.

“She’s a nice little filly that David (Ellis, Te Akau Racing principal) purchased at Karaka for John Galvin. He didn’t pay a lot for her, but she comes from Marie Leicester’s very good breed.

“Today will do her good and hopefully she’s capable of running in some nice races later on.”

Purchased from the draft of Haunui Farm for $57,500, Melody Belle is out of the Iffraaj mare Melody Belle and descends from the well-known “Belle” family which has produced countless black-type performers over several decades.

The 2017 Karaka Million order of entry is headed by the winner of another Ruakaka two-year-old race, Global Thinking (So You Think), who currently has $12,500 to her name.

Brisbane juvenile Unlikely Story (NZ) (Star Witness) is next with A$10,800, followed by Gift Of Power (NZ) (Power) with $6,250.

Other Karaka Million eligible two-year-olds to earn stakes so far are Contessa Vanessa (Bullbars), Juliette (NZ) (Poet’s Voice), Let Her Rip Riley (NZ) (Showcasing), McCartney (NZ) (Alamosa), Ripinhet (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) and Beachwood (NZ) (Ocean Park).

Significant movement in the Karaka Million order of entry is expected when three two-year-old events are contested on Saturday October 22 including the $50,000 Listed Swiss Ace @ Westbury Stud Wellesley Stakes (1000m).