NZ racing wrap: Melody Belle set for big season

Melody Belle
Melody Belle winning the Karaka Million 2YO in 2017. (NZ Racing Desk)

TRAINING pair Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards have star three-year-old Melody Belle back in work ahead of another group one campaign.

Last season’s Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes and Karaka Million winner enjoyed a good break after its Queensland campaign that netted a victory in the Group Two Queensland Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Fortuna Syndications director John Galvin said the horse is in good condition.

“She had an eight-week spell after returning from Brisbane and has now just finished three weeks pre training on the walker,” Galvin said.

“Jamie and Steve will now get her ready for a trial later in the spring and race plans at this stage are to have her resuming over 1200 metres in early December, then into the Sistema Railway at Ellerslie on New Year’s day before tackling the Karaka 3YO Classic at the end of January.”

Well-bred colt to trial

The well-related Raposa Rapida will trial on his home track on Thursday ahead of a return to the races.

The brother to the group winner Volpe Veloce made one appearance as a two-year-old last season for a fourth placing at Te Awamutu.

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“He’s coming up well, he’s a lovely horse,” Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh said.

“We’ll have a look around for a suitable race after he’s trialled.”

Gold Trail still on programme

John Morell remains focussed on the Group Three Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes on September 23 with Florence Jean, despite a hiccup to the filly’s programme.

The Te Rapa owner-trainer was forced to bypass the opening day of the Hastings carnival after the three-year-old was laid low by a virus.

Morell believes the horse is ready to roll.

“We’re working her along quietly,” he said.

“She’s eating again now and feeling livelier so we’ll go down for the Gold Trail, she usually races well fresh.

“I’m hoping she can get up to 1400 metres and a mile later. She relaxes so I think she will run on alright.”

Florence Jean’s only defeat in three starts came in the Group Two Matamata Breeders’ Stakes when she was checked at the start and made late ground for sixth.

Promise To Reign ready for new campaign

Group performer Promise To Reign is making steady progress toward a return to racing according to co-trainer Moira Murdoch.

Murdoch believes the five-year-old mare, which had placed in the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and Sunline Vase, is close to hitting the track.

“She’s not far from trialling, I’m very happy with her and the way she is looking,” she said.

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