Karaka Million Winner Melody Belle (NZ) Dominates Sires’ Produce Stakes

Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who cost just $57,500 at the 2016 Premier Sale at Karaka, capped an outstanding two-year-old campaign with an easy win in Saturday’s $225,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni,

Courtesy of outstanding victories in the Karaka Million at Ellerslie in January and Saturday’s prestigious race at Awapuni, Melody Belle has now earned in excess of $695,000 in prizemoney – more than 12 times her purchase price.

Melody Belle was ridden by Michael McNab on Saturday and raced handily in fourth place before dashing in between the two leaders to claim the lead at the top of the straight.

Belle Du Nord (NZ) (Reliable Man) raced through along the inside to challenge for the lead, but Melody Belle lifted again and stretched out to win by a length and a half.

Melody Belle has now won three of her five starts, two at stakes level. She also ran third in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes.

“She was always travelling like the winner today, but that’s the way she’s looked in everything that she’s done in the last couple of weeks,” co-trainer Stephen Autridge said. “She’s just done nothing but improve. She’s a very, very good filly.”

Melody Belle is raced by John Galvin’s Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate.

“I think there’s about 40 owners in the syndicate,” Autridge said. “Some of them only have shares of 1 or 2 per cent, but that doesn’t matter – they’ve won a million-dollar race, and now they’ve won a Group One as well."

Melody Belle was bred by Marie Leicester, whose parents James and Annie Sarten founded the iconic ‘Belle’ family line.

Offered in Haunui Farm’s 2016 Premier Sale draft, she was knocked down to the bid of Te Akau principal David Ellis.

A half-sister to Melody Belle was offered at this year’s Select Sale, selling to Shaune Ritchie for $100,000.