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Melody Belle considering Brisbane swansong

5 February 2021

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Melody-Belle.jpgBy Jordan Gerrans 

Champion New Zealander Melody Belle could be on the way to Queensland in a swansong of her sparkling career.

Just days after equalling the record of mighty mare Sunline by winning her 13th Group 1 event, trainer Jamie Richards says a Sunshine State stop is certainly in his plans for later in 2021.

While the dual New Zealand Horse of the Year’s path has not been set in stone just yet, Richards is considering coming to Australia with the six-year-old mare, firstly to the Gold Coast and then on to Doomben.

“There is a chance we could end up there, yeah, for sure,” Richards said on Friday morning.

“The Doomben Cup, there is a couple of nice races there for her.

“This could well be her last campaign and we are trying to build on her record, and it might be a nice opportunity to get some more Group 1 form in Australia.

“We are looking forward to seeing how it all goes.”

Richards said the Coolmore Classic on March 13 at Rosehill could be a steppingstone to Queensland.

“We are just trying to see where she fits in, in terms of her form,” Richards said.

“It will be if she is good enough for Sydney in the Autumn or if it would be better to have a break and then go to Queensland and miss Sydney.”

The Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) is set for May 22nd.

Melody Belle returned to the track in magnificent fashion last Saturday, nabbing her 13th Group 1 in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

“She didn’t win by a big space, but she still got the job done relatively comfortably,” Richards said after the win on Saturday.

“The good thing is we know she still has some improvement to come with her fitness.

“I can remember Sunline racing and the race she won in Hong Kong more so than anything else.

“To equal her record is wonderful as she was the mare of the world and while we’ve done it mainly in New Zealand, it is still very good to equal it.

“I’m very proud of her as she has done so much for my career and has flown the flag for all of us,

“She’s a competitor who loves doing her job, so I can’t thank her and everyone involved with her enough.”

The star mare was last in Queensland in 2017, trialling at Deagon before winning the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm by almost five lengths.

That was followed by a 10th place finish in the Group 1 JJ Atkins, beaten three lengths when sent out as a $1.75 favourite.