Freshman Sire Belardo Off the Mark at Haydock

Golden Melody (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), a William Haggas-trained newcomer, became the first winner for her Kildangan Stud-based freshman sire (by Lope de Vega {Ire}) with a 2 1/4-length success over six furlongs at Haydock.

6th-Haydock, £6,400, Nov, 6-7, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:15.03, g/s.
GOLDEN MELODY (IRE) (f, 2, Belardo {Ire}–Chanter {GB}, by Lomitas {GB}) was well away to stalk the leaders in a handy fourth through halfway in this first go. Shaken up when angled into an open lane passing the quarter-mile marker, the 4-1 chance seized control approaching the final furlong and kept on strongly under mild coaxing in the closing stages to outpoint Star of Emaraaty (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) by an ultimately comfortable 2 1/4 lengths, becoming the first winner for her Kildangan Stud-based freshman sire (by Lope de Vega {Ire}). “I didn't know much about her beforehand, but I was told she was professional,” revealed winning rider James Doyle. “There were all sorts of shapes and sizes at the start, but you couldn't fault the way she did it. The fact she's come out and won suggests [trainer] William [Haggas] thinks she could be capable of going to [Royal] Ascot.” Golden Melody is also the sixth winner out of an unraced half-sister to G1SW sire Belmez (El Gran Senor), stakes-winning sire Dowland (Sovereign Dancer) and the granddam of G1 Shuka Sho heroine Red Desire (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe {Jpn}). The March-foaled chestnut is full to a yearling filly and shares her second dam Grace Note (Fr) (Top Ville {Ire}), who ran second in the G3 Lingfield Oaks Trial, with GI Arlington Million hero Debussy (Ire) (Diesis {GB}) and G3 Princess Elizabeth S. victress Laugh Aloud (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Sales history: €14,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; 52,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,245.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Ian & Christine Beard & Family; B-Ennistown Stud (IRE); T-William Haggas.