Magnificent Melody Belle (NZ) Defends Livamol Crown

In the same week that she was crowned New Zealand’s Horse of the Year for the second time, megastar Karaka graduate Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) has added another Group One victory to her amazing record. 

The $57,500 Premier Sale purchase brilliantly defended her crown in Saturday’s $250,000 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings. It was her 12th win at the elite level, now just one behind the all-time New Zealand record held by the legendary Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun). Melody Belle has now earned more than $3.8 million for her owners the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, which is 66 times her purchase price.

Saturday’s Livamol Classic was Melody Belle’s seventh start at Hastings, and incredibly it was her seventh Group One win at the venue. In addition to her two Livamol Classics, she has also won the Windsor Park Plate (1600m) three times and the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) twice.

Saturday’s Livamol was the easiest of them all. Rider Troy Harris bided his time well back in the field behind a steady pace.

Harris brought Melody Belle out wide at the top of the straight and released his handbrake, and the exceptional mare went into full flight. She swept to the front and powered clear, winning by two and three-quarter lengths.

“To come here seven times with this mare and win seven Group One races is a great thrill,” syndicate manager John Galvin said. “Perhaps the board could consider renaming this racecourse in her honour – after all, we have a Phar Lap Raceway, don’t we?

“David Ellis selected this horse for me according to the criteria that I’d set. He bought her under budget at $57,500, and she’s now won 12 Group One races and more than $3.8 million. It’s amazing.

“Jamie Richards (trainer) did a fantastic job to bring her back from Australia after beginning her campaign over there. After just one trial, she came here and won the Windsor Park Plate and then produced the supreme effort that we saw today.

“There’s a wonderful group of 34 people who own shares in this horse. We couldn’t have got off the ground without them putting up the money to buy those shares. What a wonderful journey we’ve all had over the last few years.”

Richards was delighted to collect yet another major prize with Melody Belle, the standout among a star-studded stable.

“They only went steady for the first half of the race, so there was a touch of concern, but she was explosive in the end,” he said.

“I don’t like to say too much leading into races, but she hadn’t put a foot wrong. She was awesome today, just a great mare.

“It’s a great feeling, and the team at home have done a magnificent job with her. Twelve Group Ones, a Karaka Million (1200m) and a Group One win in Melbourne, she is just going great and is nowhere near finished yet.”

Avantage (Fastnet Rock) completed a quinella for Richards, for Karaka graduates and for purchaser David Ellis. She was a $210,000 purchase at the 2017 Premier Sale. A four-time Group One winner in her own right, she has finished second to Melody Belle in the Windsor Park Plate and Livamol Classic in her last two starts. She has earned $1.48 million in stakes.

The next generation of outstanding New Zealand thoroughbred talent will be showcased in Karaka 2021, starting with Book 1, which runs across three days from Sunday 24 January. That will be followed by Book 2 from Wednesday 27 through to Friday 29 January.

Vendor	Haunui Farm
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	Commands – Meleka Belle
Sale	Lot 395, 2016 Premier Sale, $57,500
Bred by	Mrs N M Leicester