It seemed inevitable, but she still had to do it – Horse of the Year Melody Belle (5 m Commands – Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) is the Bostock New Zealand Spring Carnival Triple Crown winner after a pulverising victory in the $250,000 Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on Saturday at Hastings.

In doing so, the Queen of the Turf became the first ever to accomplish the Triple Crown Victory

World-class galloper Starcraft (Soviet Star), a five time Group One winner that claimed titles of Champion 3YO in Australia, Champion Sprinter in New Zealand, and Champion Miler in Europe, tried but failed. Multiple Horse of the Year Seachange (Cape Cross), winner of seven Group One races, tried but failed, and Champion Three-Year-old and Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park), winner of five Group Ones, tried but failed.

It took Melody Belle – securing her ninth Group One victory – trainer Jamie Richards, and rider Opie Bosson to get the job done. And she did it by three and a half lengths, no problem. Although, it appeared a touch awkward early in the race when Bosson, conscious of not being shuffled back on the inner, took the bull by the horns and worked off the rail heading into the back straight.

Click HERE to see the Race Result and Video Replay

But, as she did when repeating her first two leg wins, in the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), Melody Belle ranged into the clear and distanced the opposition to take her place in racing royalty.

“I’m really proud of her and it’s an absolute result,” said Richards, in Australia, preparing stable-mates Probabeel and Te Akau Shark for Group One races at Randwick.“She’s achieved what no other horse in history has been able to do. She’s had a great preparation and I thought it was a terrific ride with Opie, getting her out at the right time and, yes, she did the rest. Everything has gone to plan and staff at home has done a great job with her, and a big thank you to John Galvin and his team. She’s been a marvel. David Ellis did a great job to buy her in the first place and she’s rewarding everyone involved with life long memories. It really is quite amazing, the way she has developed and what she has achieved, and again, a big thanks to all the staff who have really stepped up while I’ve been away.”

Melody Belle – Hawkes Bay Triple Crown – Livamol Classic – 5th October 2019

Te Akau Principal David Ellis purchased the reigning Horse of the Year as a yearling for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, on the account of breeder Marie Leicester. She has now won 14 of her 24 starts and $2 million in prize money for owners in the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate – Managed by John Galvin).

“It’s the thrill of a lifetime to buy a mare that won the Karaka Million as a two-year-old filly and train on to keep getting better and better,” Ellis said. “We bought her at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Premier Sale and it’s just great the way it’s worked out. Jamie Richards has done an incredible job training her to win all these races and it’s one of the greatest days I’ve had on a racecourse.”

Unbeaten in all seven rides aboard Melody Belle, Opie Bosson said: “A big thanks to all the team at home at Te Akau Racing. David Ellis, I wouldn’t be here today without Dave, who has helped keep me on the straight and narrow and overseen me at the gym.

“I’d like to thank John Galvin and team. I’m very honoured to ride the horse and a big thank you to Melody Belle.”

On behalf of the large syndicate of owners (37), Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin said: “As I said to people before the race, we’re standing on the crest of history and now we’ve done it. So, it’s an incredible feeling to have come here today and win this very elusive Triple Crown. She’s probably the best she’s ever been and while it’s never over till it’s over, there was a lot of confidence in the camp beforehand, just because of how well she had been working and eating and that sort of thing. She’s 1 in 10,000 and the sort of horse you dream about. She keeps stepping up year after year. This is her fourth season of racing the top level adt and words fail me, really. It was life changing when she won the Karaka Million. The fact that she’s gone on now and won nine Group Ones, it’s incredibly life changing. A big thank you to big Jamie Richards, not here today, but with the team in Sydney, and all his Te Akau team that has done such a great job all the way through. And to Opie Bosson, who has won seven out of seven on this mare, Mette, our strapper, who shed a bucket of tears after the race, and last but not least, to all the members that own Melody Belle, many of whom are here today and for quite a few of them she is their very first racehorse ever.”

Melody Belle was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

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 5^th, METEORIC LASS races at Te Teko on Sunday 6^th  and HIDDEN PROMISE and AABIR in Singapore Friday 4^th.

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 9^th 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 3^rd 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 1^st 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 12^th 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

Fortuna runners this week are the last start winners, Sportscaster in Singapore on Friday night and Burgundy Belle at New Plymouth on Saturday

Sportscaster is up in grade to Class 4, so won’t get it as easy as last time when he won by 5 lengths. However he has won in Class 4 before, is well down in the weights and gets another 3kgs off his back courtesy of apprentice rider C K Ng – he will carry just 50.5kgs. Lovely draw and will be in it a long way, chance of a place and one for the multiples

Burgundy Belle has won 4 from 8 and was a quality winner at  her last start over 1400m in R72 Grade 31^stAugust – Hastings. Up in Grade to R82, but Fillies and Mares Race, barrier 10 not ideal over the 1200m trip, but she has good tactical speed and the soft/heavy track will be right up her alley. Jonathan Riddell to ride – she is the one to beat in this

Burgundy Belle brilliant at Hastings 31st August 2019

Matamata Trackwork Tuesday 24^th

Course Proper – Racing in the $30,000 Rating 82 Fillies & Mares 1200 metres at New Plymouth on Saturday, Burgundy Belle (T Harris) galloped nicely in company over 1000 metres in 1.07.2, home 39.3.

Plough – Dundeel’s Girl (A Jones) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 59, last 600 in 41. Ronaldo’s Dream (M Roustoby) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres, running the last 1000 in 1.13, final 600 in 43.

Matamata Trackwork Thursday 26^th

Course Proper: Racing at New Plymouth on Saturday, Burgundy Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.15.5, home in 45.

In closing, I have some photos taken by the Love Racing team –  from Tarzino day – Melody Belle’s race – not hard to spot the connections is it – see below  – winners are grinners!!!

She is turning into something else now, Melody Belle (5 m Commands – Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) boasting a race record of 23 starts, 13 wins – 8 of which have been at Group One level.

Having defended her Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) title on the first day of the Bostock New Zealand Spring Carnival at Hastings, Melody Belle had no trouble doing the same in the $200,000 Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday 21st September.

Melody Belle – Dominant 8th Group One Victory – Windsor Park Plate – 21 September 2019

Given a gorgeous trip by rider Opie Bosson from her good barrier draw, Melody Belle loomed around the home bend and her customary powerful burst was too much for the opposition, winning by two and three-quarter lengths in a slick 1:34.1 for the 1600 metres on Good3 footing.

Bosson scored his third win in the race and is now unbeaten in six rides on the star mare. “It’s easy on a really good horse,” he said. “I came back a spot, just to get her travelling and probably went a bit soon but it didn’t really matter. She’s a top-class mare, doesn’t know when to lose, and an absolute pleasure to ride.”

Click HERE to see the race replay

Virtually backed off the board ($1.60 & $1.20), Melody Belle gave her army of supporters no cause for alarm, not only once the gates opened, but it could be said, from the moment she stepped onto the track. Like any great athlete, she was primed for the occasion.

“Last time she had to be outstanding in winning the Tarzino from well back in the field, but this time it was clinical,” said Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin. “The way the race panned out it was just another day at the office for her. She presented in amazing condition: muscled up, ready to perform and as race track presenter Emily Bosson said pre race, you could almost see your face in her coat. She’s got that lovely bronze sheen to her. This is the second leg of the Triple Crown, her eighth Group One win and words fail me really. The leaders certainly set it up for her and they ran pretty quick, so it is just fantastic – she is a real credit to Trainer Jamie Richards and all of the Te Akau staff.”

Galvin said he was humbled by the upcoming opportunity of having Melody Belle being the first horse ever to win  the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown, when the Mare contests the $250,000 Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 5 October at Hastings. “There has been some really good horses attempt the Triple Crown in the past and fail, Starcraft, Seachange, Jimmy Choux, so it’s a great honour and privilege to be able to come and have a go at that”, he said.

Te Akau principal David Ellis has been right on many counts when it comes to purchasing thoroughbreds, but the two that come to mind in regards to Melody Belle are, firstly, that he bought her and, secondly, he has said on many occasions that she would be better as a five-year-old, which certainly seems to be the case in the season to date.

Ellis purchased the reigning Horse of the Year as a yearling for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, on the account of breeder Marie Leicester. She has now won 13 of her 23 starts and $1.86 million in prize money for owners in the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate

“It’s quite incredible what she’s achieving,” Ellis said. “She was a Group One and Karaka Million winning Champion Two-Year-Old that has now gone on to win eight Group One races. She just seems to be getting better with age and her win today against a smart field was very dominant. She did very well and ate very well when she spelled at Te Akau Stud, and it’s no surprise she’s going to another level. Jamie (Richards) and the staff have done a terrific job with this mare all the way through and that man on top (Opie Bosson), what can you say. He’s a superstar rider, cool under pressure, and he just gave her the perfect ride.”

Back-to-back successes in the Windsor Park Plate by Melody Belle provided Te Akau Racing with a hat-trick in the race, following on from Gingernuts (Iffraaj) in 2016, while Bosson was also successful aboard Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago) who won the race in 2008 for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker.

Trainer Jamie Richards, who was in Sydney with the Te Akau runners Probabeel and Avantage said: “It was a terrific win and she’s really going well. It set up nicely with the hot speed and it was a lovely ride. She really chased them down and put them to the sword. Obviously, the Triple Crown is our target with her and she’ll be back there (Hastings) in a couple of weeks. There are a lot of good horses that have failed to achieve Triple Crown success, so hopefully we’ve got the right horse in the right form to go there and be competitive. The plan thereafter is to go to Australia, providing that she comes through her next assignment in good shape. There are a lot of races she could target and one of those is the Cox Plate. But, we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves. Let’s concentrate on Hastings, and we can then firm up our plans.”

Melody Belle is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, an ownership group of 37 individuals.

 Melody Belle Ownership Group – Windsor Park Plate – Hastings 21st September 2019

Melody Belle was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

Fortuna 3yo Filly, Rhapsody in Blue(3 f Medaglia d’Oro – Kablues, by Danske) followed good recent form with victory at her third start in the $10,000 Jump Jockey’s Send It Maiden 3YO 1300 metres on Friday at Taupo.

At her solitary two-year-old start, Rhapsody in Blue ran a courageous second on Heavy11 in June at Trentham, and fought solidly for fourth when resuming on Heavy10 in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 28 August at Matamata. But, the advent of better footing aided her cause and she displayed good attributes to win well.

“We weren’t too sure what to expect today, given it was a Good3 track, as her two previous runs had been on heavier tracks,” said Fortuna Syndicate manager John Galvin. “She did disappoint us a little bit last time, but that was probably just the heavy track, so today she got a good surface and she’s shown what she’s capable of.

“We really like this horse. She’s got a lovely pedigree, shown us a lot and we’ll see how she pulls up and make a plan from there – she does hold a nomination for the Group One 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.”

Rhapsody In Blue – Victorious at Taupo 20th September 2019 (Image courtesy of Race Images)

From seventh in running, Rhapsody in Blue was sent forward by rider Michael McNab to challenge around the home bend and exhibited a good turn of foot to put the race into safe keeping.

Click HERE to see the race result and Video replay

“That’s what I expected from her the other day, but the heavy track was against her and a lot of the Te Akau horses that ran that day didn’t like it,” McNab said. “And, they’ve since come out on better tracks and run really well. She’s a lovely filly and should have plenty more wins in her.”

Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased Rhapsody in Blue as a yearling at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale on behalf of Fortuna, paying $95,000 from the draft of Valachi Downs. Her sire, Medaglia d’Oro has sired more than 20 individual Group One winners, including Crown Prosecutor, the winner of the 2019 NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), and she possesses a  terrific family on the dam side – a family which includes Champion 3YO Filly in Australia Shamrocker (O’Reilly), winner of the Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and VRC Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

“Let’s hope it’s the start of a really good weekend for Fortuna, with Melody Belle racing tomorrow in the Group One Windsor Park Plate,” said David Ellis. “Their horses are absolutely on fire and full credit to John Galvin and his owners. He does an outstanding job running these syndicates and it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of it all.”

Trainer Jamie Richards said: “It was good to see her operate on top of the ground, especially after finding the going a bit testing last time, but Michael said she didn’t handle it. She never showed a lot when we broke her in, but started to shape up in the autumn and with a nice pedigree page we’d love to see her earn some black type, and that will mean she will have quite a bit of value as a broodmare proposition if we can get the job done.”

Present on course and sharing in the ownership of Rhapsody in Blue, Ian Upson was celebrating a remarkable 70^th win with Fortuna, while another part-owner, Joan Jolley, was a Member of the Fortuna  2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Tell A Tale (Tale of the Cat) in 2008, trained for Fortuna by Mark Walker.

Rhapsody in Blue is raced by the Fortuna Rhapsody In Blue Syndicate, an ownership Group consisting of 46 individuals.

The Filly was was strapped by Shay Carter.

Fortuna has a big day at Hawkes Bay Racing on Saturday 21st with  the recently crowned Horse Of The Year, Melody Belle seeking to defend her Group One Windsor Park Plate Title – A $1.70 Hot Favourite, she  will be hard to beat from the Barrie 6 draw. At Taupo on Friday 20th LEADERBOARD gets the ace draw race 2 with Opie aboard. Trip may be a bit short for this European imported stayer, but with the right run and in a fresh state, he could go close. RHAPSODY IN BLUE is at Taupo as well – Race 5 – and also has a nice draw with M McNab in the saddle – she gets firmer track conditions than her last start at Matamata where she went out odds on favourite but just struggled a bit in the very Heavy track. AABIRresumes after a long break Friday night – Race 1 -in Singapore but has the outside draw to contend with over the 1000 metre trip on the Polytrack

Yes it’s true – the seemingly immortal EATONS GOLD, who had his first race in New Zealand in December 2010, has been retired after aggravating an old knee injury when racing at his home track at Penang Sunday 15th September. The winner of 11 races, 9 in Singapore and 2 in Malaysia and the winner of almost NZ$600,000, EATONS GOLD was an irrepressible character, who always kept his trainers, riders and handlers on their toes.

“Eaton” was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications at the 2010 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Premier sale for $75,000. By Jetspur out of Road Ranger, he had a typical Australian speed pedigree and the attributes of a sprinting type to go with it. A really natural  2yo type, the 2011 Karaka Million in NZ was clearly in his sights, but an important trial date in early November was missed due to trials being canceled. He trialed two weeks later, running 2nd to Super Easy (Darci Brahma), who went on to become a Singapore Champion and now a successful Stallion at Stud and then had his first race date at Awapuni in early December 2010 – however struck a Heavy track, that experience flattened him, he needed to have a break and Karaka Million aspirations went out the door. He was then to to race at Waverley in March, but reared up in the barriers and was late scratched by the Stewards. This meant that his 2yo opportunities in NZ were extinguished, so connections made the decision to send him to Singapore to race.

Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker, soon had Eaton  to rights with his first two runs in Singapore in Initiation Grade producing a 5th and a 2nd and then a win at his 3rd start in the same Grade. A win two starts later in Novice Grade confirmed that Walker and the Fortuna NZ Stable had a nice sprinting type on their hands. The realities of Grade Racing in Singapore then kicked in however and while racing competitively in Class 4, running lots of prizemoney placings it was a further 15 months (March 2013) before Eaton broke through for his first win in Class 4. A 4th career win in the same Grade followed eight months later.

After some indifferent runs in early 2014, Eaton was found to have a potentially career ending knee issue, surgery was performed and the horse was sent to Sandy Lines in Malaysia for rehab and recuperation and although rehab was successful, it was going to be 399 days before Eaton would grace the Kranji race track again – and what a return it was, winning a Class 4 race by two lengths in the hands of Rizuan Shafiq.

4 more wins followed over the next two years bringing his Singapore total to 9 and in April 2017 with Eaton now a rising 9 year old, but still sound and fit, a decision was made to send him to Malaysia to see out his racing career and ease into a nice retirement. He was entrusted to Trainer, Sharee Hamilton, at Penang and his Malaysian stint saw two more victories on his home track of Penang.

EATONS GOLD – 9th win at  Kranji  April 2017

EATONS GOLD had 96 race day starts in his career for 11 wins, 10 2nds, 11 3rds and 14 4ths .

Singapore Trainer Mark Walker described the horse as follows – “we always had to be alert around Eaton,” he said, “he was a real character – give him an inch and he would take a mile – but he was a great favourite here at the Singapore stable.” 

Fortuna NZ Stable boss, John Galvin, said “Eaton was a much loved horse by his syndicate Members – while he was no Champion, he always gave his best and delivered great results for his ownership group.”

EATONS GOLD will now enjoy a well deserved retirement, most likely at a Riding For Disabled School in Malaysia.

Members of the Fortuna Sportsman Syndicate were celebrating again today when SPORTSCASTER, one of two horses raced in Singapore by the Syndicate, dominated in the Class Five 1700 metre event on the Polytrack, winning by 5 lengths. Just three weeks ago, the other Syndicate horse, SPOKESMAN, broke through for his first win in Singapore, with a winning margin of 6 lengths. Sent out a very warm favourite by Punters, SPORTSCASTER drew Barrier 4 and had Singapore’s leading jockey, Vlad Duric aboard. Duric rode the horse positively out of the gates, soon had the lead, gave the horse a breather during the middle stages, then turned up the wick on the opposition from about the 650 metre mark and they had no answer. Well clear on the turn, Duric kept SPORTSCASTER going strong to the line 5 lengths clear of the opposition, much to the joy of Syndicate Members.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna Director John Galvin was a happy man post race, “We acquired both horses in a private sale in January. Sportscaster then had a few runs for us, but showed little form, so we gave him a freshen up during May and since his return, he has now had eight race day starts, never out of the prize money in the first seven and today he gets a well deserved win. Congrats to Trainer Mark Walker and Jockey Vlad Duric”

“SPORTSCASTER” – Victorious In Singapore 15th September 2019

The Fortuna Sportsman Syndicate is  an ownership group consisting of 27 individuals with Members in New Zealand, Singapore and the Philippines

Singapore Members of Sportsman Syndicate celebrate at the podium

SPORTSCASTER’S win gave Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer Mark Walker his 62nd win for the season and now leads the 2019 Trainers Premiership by a 17 win margin

MELODY BELLE – Horse Of The Year– yes she did it – a great honour for this wonderful racemare and a huge thrill for her Ownership Group (37 individuals), not to mention a great vindication for the principle of syndication – i.e where are a large number of people, each outlaying a relatively small amount of money, can be involved in a Champion

Fortuna horses racing this coming week are RONALDO’S DREAM at Ruakaka and METEORIC LASS at Awapuni Saturday 14th, SPORTSCASTER in Singapore and EATONS GOLD in Penang Sunday 15th.

RONALDO’S DREAM was solid on his race day debut at Matamata recently but struggled a bit in the Heavy Track – he gets his chance here in a small field and on a Dead 5 surface at Ruakaka – meets a hot field in this Maiden 3yo event over 1400m – Race 1 – he has ability and can certainly feature in the finish – Opie Bosson to ride – blinkers go on. METEORIC LASS ran a bold race for 2nd at Ruakaka on the 31^stAugust – her first run for 9 months – she will be much improved from that, her work has been good and gets a 4kg apprentice allowance in this R72 1300m event at Awapuni – Race 5 – she presents as a strong each way chance and can perform up to that if she handles the Heavy track. SPORTSCASTER– ever consistent, gets his chance in the Class 5 1700 metre event – Race 4 – in Singapore from a good draw and Singapore leading jockey, Vlad Duric in  the saddle. Should be hard to beat.

Trackwork This Week

Matamata

Tuesday 10^thSept –

Course Proper

Preparing to race at Awapuni on Saturday, Meteoric Lass (T Harris) galloped over 1000 metres, last 400 in 39.6.  Ronaldo’s Dream (O Bosson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.04. final 600 in 36.5.

Thursday 12th–

Course Proper

Due to line up in the $25,000 Rating 72 1300 metres at Awapuni on Saturday, Meteoric Lass (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, running the last 800 in 55.7.

No 2 Sand

No.2 Sand:

Group 1 Tarzino Trophy winner Melody Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.28.5. She is on track to race next in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (at Hastings on 21 September).

Racing at Ruakaka on Saturday, Ronaldo’s Dream (S Weatherley) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.6 and finished off in 1.13.7.

Starting next at Hastings on 21 September, Burgundy Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16.

Rhapsody In Blue (S Weatherley) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.13.8, home in 43.

Grand Ariana (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.27.8, final 600 in 43.

Fortuna will also have three starters at Taupo Friday 20^th, LEADERBOARD, GRAND ARIANA and RHAPSODY IN BLUE.

Acceptances are not yet finalised of course, but here are some preliminary thoughts on their prospects. LEADERBOARD, a Maiden winner in Ireland (2400m)  in October 2018 is an out and out staying type. He has impressed in his two trials in NZ and will give a good showing in this race in a fresh state. The 1300m may be a tad short for him on the tight, turning track, but this horse has some real quality about him.

GRAND ARIANAhas given cause for some had scratching throughout her career, as she gets so far back in the running, but goes to 1800m for the first time here – will strike a reasonable surface and can figure.

We have a lot of time for RHAPSODY IN BLUE– she disappointed slightly at Matamata at her 2^ndrace day start, finishing 4^thafter being sent out an odds on favourite – this off the back of a very strong winning trial. Heavy 10 track that day may have been the issue – certainly she has trained on well since and will get a better surface at Taupo

MELODY BELLE was the star of the show at the Annual New Zealand Thoroughbred Awards Evening held at the Ellerslie Event Centre Sunday 8th September. Attended by 500 people at a sold out venue, the Fortuna Syndicated, David Ellis selected and Jamie Richards trained Five Year Old Mare, won two awards, the Champion Sprinter/Miler of the Year and Horse of the Year and was narrowly defeated by DanzDanzDance (32 votes to 30) in the Champion Middle Distance category. Fortuna Principals John and Jessica Galvin were on hand along with 50 supporters of Melody Belle including many of the 37 Syndicate Members plus family and friends.

John Galvin in accepting the Horse Of The Year Award, described the experience as “exciting, thrilling and humbling” and paid tribute to all of the Syndicate Members who had taken shares in Melody Belle as well as David Ellis for selecting the horse on behalf of Fortuna from the Premier draft of the 2016 Karaka Sale and Jamie Richards for training the horse so successfully. John also pointed out that it was the second time in 2019 that a Te Akau trained horse had won a Horse Of the Year Award, the other being the Mark Walker trained Elite Invincible, who was awarded the Singapore equivalent Award in January for his achievements during the 2018 Singapore Season.

Click HERE to read full story from NZ Breeding and Racing News of the Awards evening

Melody Belle winning her 5th Group One of the 2018/19 Season – the New Zealand Bone Crusher Stakes at Ellerslie 9th March 2019