Jockey Troy Harris salutes the judge and the fans at Ellerslie as Melody Belle became the most successful winner of Group 1 races in New Zealand. Melody Belle could be given to chance to extend her newly-minted record for Group 1 wins by a New Zealand racehorse. Melody Belle swept past stablemate Avantage to win easily in the hands of Troy Harris, who battled with his weight to ride the mare. When she does finish racing, Melody Belle will almost certainly be sold at public auction because she is owned by a syndicate which means breeding from her under her existing ownership status would be too tricky. Although Melody Belle is nearing the end of her time with trainer Richards, Sword Of State is just getting started and they have some decisions to make with him, too.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 13, 2021 09:32 UTC