Friday Flash – 4th October 2019
Fortuna runners this week are MELODY BELLE who will tackle the elusive Hawkes Bay Triple Crown when she contests the Group One Livamol Classic at Hastings Saturday 5th, METEORIC LASS races at Te Teko on Sunday 6th and HIDDEN PROMISE and AABIR in Singapore Friday 4th.
MELODY BELLE – Race 8 at Hastings – has been backed into unbackable odds at $1.25 – drawn perfectly at 2, Opie Bosson to ride – it seems as if only bad luck can stop her achieving a record 9th Group One victory
METEORIC LASS – Race 6 at Te Teko – was a tad disappointing last start at Awapuni when backed into form favouritism – track was very heavy that day – the predicted Slow 7 surface will be ideal – the ace barrier will be right up her alley and she has the services of the very much in form Danielle Johnson
AABIR – Race 1 Singapore – impressive 3rd from outside barrier this trip at last start after resuming off a long break – looks the one to beat here with a great draw and the talented apprentice AB Riduan (aka Nik Bakar) aboard – odds will be short and punters should note he has had bleeding issues in the past
HIDDEN PROMISE – Race 8 Singapore – rarely runs a bad race – has won five times in Singapore at 1600m, but gets his chance here at 1400m from a good gate with the impressive 3kg claiming apprentice AB Riduan (aka Nik Bakar) aboard – a good each way prospect
Matamata Trackwork Tuesday 1st Oct
Course proper
Melody Belle (O Bosson) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.21, home in 37. She races in the Group 1 Livamol Classic at Hastings on Saturday.
Meteoric Lass (M Roustoby) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06, home in 38.9 as she prepares to race at Te Teko on Sunday 6th.
No 2 Sand
Burgundy Belle (T Harris) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 57, last 600 in 42.
Matamata Trackwork Thursday 3rd Oct
Course Proper:
Preparing for the Group 1 Livamol Classic at Hastings on Saturday, Melody Belle (O Bosson) worked nicely at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.28.9, last 600 in 43.
Ronaldo’s Dream (O Bosson) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.11.6, home in 41 as he builds toward racing at Taupo next Wednesday.
No 2 Sand
Leaderboard (O Bosson) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres, last 600 in 45.
Rhapsody In BIue (R Cole) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, final 600 in 46.
Both these horses will fulfill racing engagements at Matamata 12th October
MELODY BELLE confronts history – can she break the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown hoodoo?
Three Group One races 5 weeks apart over 1400m, 1600m and 2040m – that is the challenge – and many very, very good horses have tried and failed to win all three – it has proven a very elusive goal over the years. The mighty Seachange two years in succession 2006 and 2007 won the first two legs and although came heartbreakingly close in 2006 (beaten in the last stride) was not able to claim the Crown. And who could forget the star Aussie galloper, Starcraft, with Glen Boss in the saddle, capturing the imagination of the NZ racing public in 2004 by taking out the first two legs in great style, led into the straight in the final leg, only to be run down by the hardy Kevin Myers trained Balmuse. Starcraft franked his “star” quality subsequently by winning Group One races in Australia, the UK and France
So, can the current Queen of the Turf do it? Well, history is against her, but then she doesn’t read the history books and certainly the “form book” says she can – we will know more at about 4.45pm on Saturday
Melody Belle- Simply Amazing – Tarzino Trophy 31st August 2019