Te Akau’s Brisbane carnival success hinges on Doomben results

Melody Belle
Melody Belle is one of five Te Akau runners at Stradbroke Handicap day at Doomben this Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell/NZ Racing Desk

TE Akau co-trainer Jamie Richards has enjoyed his fair share of success during the Brisbane winter carnival this year, but the campaign will ultimately be decided by this Saturday’s results at Doomben.

Richards and fellow trainer Stephen Autridge will line up Group 1 J.J. Atkins favourite Melody Belle, Queensland Derby runner Shocking Luck, Zambezi Warrior in the Brisbane Cup, Heroic Valour in the Daybreak Lover and Jimmy Rea in the Mark Hinkler Handicap.

The Matamata-based team has enjoyed good success with Melody Belle and Shocking Luck in Australia and is hoping for more positive results on grand final day.

“It’s grand final day for us. These are the races these horses have been set to win,” Richards said.

“It’s been great to win a couple of black-type races on the way through, but these are the races we’re here to win.”

Melody Belle is the star filly from the team after winning the Group 2 Sires’ Produce last start and is the current $2.05 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au to continue its winning streak which started when winning the Karaka Million at Ellerslie.

“She’s in really good order. She came through the Sires’ run the other day really well,” Richards said.

“She’s a straightforward filly, doesn’t overtax herself on the training track. Opie (Bosson) was happy with her work on Tuesday.

“She’s in good form and we can’t fault her. She’s ready to run a good race.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in this filly. What she’s been able achieve in her career so far has shown us she’s pretty special.”

Hong Kong-bound Shocking Luck is the current $5 favourite at Sportsbet for the Queensland Derby and Richards believes the better racing surface will see the Rough Habit Plate winner back to its best.

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“He worked with Zambezi Warrior on Tuesday and Opie was really happy with him too. He said it was as good, if not better, than going into the Grand Prix,” Richards said.

“Going back to Doomben on a better surface is going to help him and he’s got a lovely barrier. He’ll get handy and track the speed and should get a good run from there.

“This is the last start he’ll have for us before heading up to Hong Kong so hopefully we can send him off on the right note.”

Richards was also confident with Zambezi Warrior which finished fourth in the Chairman’s Handicap and second in the Premier’s Cup. It hasn’t had the best of luck in both races and luck might be needed from an inside barrier.

“He’s in good form. He’s improved out of sight on the trip and he’s thrived since the race the other day,” Richards said.

“He’s not great away from the gates so he’ll probably get three or four back the fence from the draw (barrier three) and he might need some luck from there.

“Jeff Lloyd rode him in work on Tuesday and he was happy and I’d like to think he’s a winning chance.”

The disappointing and costly exercise of missing payments for Melody Belle and Shocking Luck has been a “massive learning curve” for the young trainer, but he’s excited and nervous about lining up favourites in two group one features this Saturday.

“It’s pretty daunting to have the favourite for both the J.J. Atkins and Queensland Derby, but also a massive feat for us and that all stems from the horses Dave (Ellis, Te Akau principal) buys, the support from our owners and the efforts of our entire staff,” Richards said.

“A lot of effort has gone into getting these horses ready to be at their best for this carnival. Now, hopefully, we can have a bit of luck.

“It’s exciting but I’m more nervous than excited at this stage to be honest.”

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