By Heather Anderson
The 10th edition of the NZ$1-million Listed Karaka Million, the co-richest race in New Zealand, went the way of 32-1 outsider Melody Belle (NZ) at Ellerslie Sunday. Dueling with Gift Of Power (NZ) (Power {GB}) to her inside from the bell, the freshly blinkered bay dropped back to sit just in the wake of the leaders as Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) loomed up on the outside. Sitting a perfect trip, Opie Bosson cut the daughter of the late Commands loose as the field straightened for the rush to the winning post, and she quickly stole a march on the chasing pack, overtaking Gift Of Power at the 200-metre mark. Despite the closing efforts of 4-1 co-favourite Hasahalo, she sailed across the wire 1 1/4 lengths to the good. Felton Road rallied to take third, a neck farther back, while co-favourite Padraig (NZ) (Power {GB}) ran sixth, beaten just 3 1/2 lengths.
“This is a great thrill,” John Galvin, who manages the Fortuna syndicates, said to www.nzb.co.nz. “A lot of existing Fortuna clients are in this horse, but there are some very excited newbies as well. It's fantastic.”
“It's a huge buzz,” co-trainer Jamie Richards agreed. “Full credit to everyone in the team. David [Ellis] does a great job of buying these horses. We'll all be out there at Karaka tomorrow and trying to buy the next one. The team at home have done a great job with this filly as well, and Opie gave her a great ride. It shows the difference a jockey like him can make in a million-dollar race. I'm thrilled for John as well, he puts a lot into the industry.”
Purchased by Ellis of Te Akau Racing for just NZ$57,500 out of the Haunui Farm consignment–whichalso consigned 2015 Karaka Million winner Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing {GB})–in the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale in 2016, Melody Belle graduated by two lengths when unveiled at Ruakaka Oct. 12. Stepped up immediately into group company, she completed the trifecta behind the aforementioned Gift Of Power and Hasahalo in the G2 Challenge S. over 1100 metres at Trentham Dec. 3, but was a troubled eighth behind Felton Road in the course-and-distance Countdown To Karaka 2yo race Jan. 14. The first foal from her dam Meleka Belle, who is a half-sister to G1SP Tsarina Belle (NZ) (Stravinsky) and MGSP Desert Rain (NZ) (Honor Grades), Melody Belle has a year-younger half-sister by O'Reilly (NZ) offered by Haunui Farm as lot 850 during the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale Series which commences at Karaka at 10 a.m. local time Monday. Click for the nzracing.co.nz chart or nzracing.co.nz Video.
Sunday's Results:
KARAKA MILLION, NZ$1,000,000 (US$726,500/£578,976/€679,121), Ellerslie, 1-29, 2yo, 1200mT, 1:10.95, gd.
1–MELODY BELLE (NZ), 120, f, 2, by Commands (Aus)
1st Dam: Meleka Belle (NZ), by Iffraaj (GB)
2nd Dam: Empress Belle (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire)
3rd Dam: Imperial Belle (NZ), by Sovereign Edition (Ire)
(NZ$57,500 Ylg '16 NWZJAN). O-Fortuna Melody Belle
Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin); B-Mrs N M Leicester (NZ);
T-Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards; J-Opie Bosson.
NZ$550,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-NZ, 4-2-1-0, $409,589.
2–Hasahalo (NZ), 120, f, 2, Savabeel (Aus)–Halloween (Aus), by
Encosta de Lago (Aus). (NZ$110,000 Ylg '16 NWZJAN). O-Go
Racing Fright Night Syndicate (Mgr: Albert Bosma); B-Mrs I
O'Shea & Waikato Stud Ltd (NZ); T-Stephen McKee.
NZ$170,000.
3–Felton Road (NZ), 124, c, 2, Pins (Aus)–Rose Red (NZ), by
O'Reilly (NZ). (NZ$20,000 Ylg '16 NWZJAN). O-R Bell, S Doull, T
Gillespie, N Greenhaigh, R Mulcaster, E Smythe, P Talyancich,
Platinum Events, Sales & Sponsorship Ltd, T Pike & Frontier
Bloodstock; B-Waikato Stud Ltd (NZ); T-Tony Pike. NZ$75,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 32.00, 4.10, 4.90.
Also Ran: Princess Rihanna (NZ), Star Treasure (NZ), Padraig (NZ), Oscar Eight (NZ), Sophie's Choice (NZ), Dijon Bleu (NZ), Gift Of Power (NZ), Waldorf (NZ), Ameridon (NZ), Global Thinking (Aus), Te Amo (Aus).
Scratched: Iffragal (NZ).
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