Hastings, G1 Tarzino Trophy, 1400m, $200,000
Race Summary:
Outstanding mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) claimed her seventh Group 1 victory with another brilliant performance in the first spring showpiece on the New Zealand calendar.
The Tarzino Trophy was the first of Melody Belle’s five Group 1 victories last season, and 12 months later she delivered a repeat result.
A slow start proved to be no hindrance as Michael McNab brought the 5-year-old down the outside with a withering finish. She swept past her rivals and scored with contemptuous ease.
Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) finished three-quarters of a length away in second, while Helena Baby (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) was another long neck away in third.
Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), who contributed to a frenetic early pace, stuck on gamely for fourth while the multiple Group 1 winner Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) made up good late ground to finish fifth.
The Tarzino was the 12th victory from 22 career starts for Melody Belle, who cost just $57,500 as a yearling when bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale in 2016. The Jamie Richards-trained runner has earned more than NZ$1.7 million for the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, managed by John Galvin.
Pedigree Notes:
Melody Belle is by Commands, a three-time leading sire of winners in Australia. The son of Danehill has sired 972 winners from 1317 runners, with 79 individual stakes winners.
Melody Belle’s seven Group 1 victories put her at the top of this list, while Appearance, Purple, Epaulette, Undue, Paratroopers, Commanding Jewel, Holler, Skilled, Russeting, Manuel and Erewhon have also scored at Group 1 level.
Melody Belle is out of the winning mare Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and descends from a revered New Zealand family made famous by James and Annie Sarten. Melody Belle was bred by the Sartens’ daughter Marie Leicester.
Meleka Belle is a half-sister to four black-type performers including Tsarina Belle (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), who finished second in the Listed Champagne S. and third in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
El Roca Sir Colin Meads Trophy
Race Summary:
Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) jumped swiftly from a wide barrier to race outside the leader and he travelled easily to the turn.
Once balanced in the straight, he powered clear to allow rider Troy Harris an exaggerated look over his shoulder and they sauntered across the line by a wide margin.
Equinox went back early and was forced to improve wide across the top so his run for second was sound while the filly Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) made late ground to run third.
Pedigree Notes:
Bred and raced by The Oaks Stud principal Dick Karreman, Catalyst is a son of the Entrepreneur (GB) mare Evana and she is a half-sister to the G3 Highview S. winner Diamond Deck (NZ) (Octagonal {NZ}).
The dam is a half-sister to the former Australian Horse of the Year, multiple Group 1 winner and leading sire Lonhro and to his dual Group 1 winning brother Niello.
Catalyst is also closely related to the G1 Otaki Maori WFA S. winner Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Morphettville, Listed TAB Penny Edition S., 1400m, $100,000
Race Summary:
Runner-up in the G1 Goodwood H. earlier this year, Behemoth (All Too Hard) claimed his first stakes win with an impressive performance.
Ridden by Todd Pannell for trainer David Jolly, he raced in fifth as Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) and Special Diva (Snitzel) disputed the pace.
Behemoth joined in down the home straight, bursting into contention alongside Amberdi (Ambidexter) and Waging War (Rebel Raider). It developed into a head-bobbing battle to the line between Behemoth and Amberdi, and Behemoth came out on top.
Behemoth has now had 10 starts for three wins and four placings. Three of those placings were at stakes level.
Pedigree Notes:
Behemoth is one of 172 winners for All Too Hard, and he is the ninth to win at black-type level.
His dam is Penny Banger (Zedrich), who won two races including the Listed VRC Schweppervescence Sprint H. She is a half-sister to Master Minx (Surtee), who won the Listed Aquanita S.
Belmont, Listed Idyllic Prince S., 1300m, $100,000
Race Summary:
Two weeks on from the Listed Newmarket over 1200 metre, Great Again (Viscount) returned to Belmont and scored his second consecutive front-running win at black-type level.
Confidently ridden by William Pike, Great Again went to the front of the small field and controlled the pace throughout. He produced a strong kick in the straight and went clear, scoring by three-quarters of a length from Variation (War Chant {USA}) and Multiverse (Universal Ruler).
Trained by Lindsey Smith for owners Distinct Racing And Breeding Pty Ltd, Great Again has now had 20 starts for nine wins and six placings.
Pedigree Notes:
Great Again is by Viscount, who has sired a total of 303 winners from 532 runners with 17 at black-type level.
Dam Free At Last (NZ) (Senor Pete {USA}) won 10 races including the G2 CB Cox S. and Listed Tattersall’s Cup. She also placed in the G1 Fruit N Veg S. (now Kingston Town Classic). She is the dam of two winners from four foals to race.
The third dam is a stakes-placed half-sister to Fair Sir (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), who won the G1 Australasian S. and placed in the G1 Cox Plate, Caulfield S., Rothwells S., Railway S. and two editions of the Underwood S.
