Racing: Why trainer Jamie Richards isn t nervous about Melody Belle s record chase
11 Feb, 2021 07:50 AM
5 minutes to read
If Melody Belle wins the Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa she will become New Zealand s most successful Group 1 thoroughbred. Photo / Photosport
If Melody Belle wins the Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa she will become New Zealand s most successful Group 1 thoroughbred. Photo / Photosport
NZ Herald
By: Michael Guerin
Jamie Richards is too busy to get caught up in the emotion of what Melody Belle is expected to achieve at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The champion trainer realises if his great mare wins the Herbie Dyke and becomes New Zealand s most successful Group 1 thoroughbred it is special in our racing history and he will be the man who helped make it happen.
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Quality galloper Probabeel will kick off her summer campaign in Melbourne on Saturday when she contests the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The four-year-old Savabeel mare travelled to Australia last week in preparation for a three-race assignment culminating in the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at The Valley on March 13.
Trainer Jamie Richards is pleased with how his charge has settled into her new surroundings as she goes about her work before her campaign opener this weekend. She will be nominated for the 1200 (metre) Group 3 this weekend, which is a nice way to kick her off over there, Richards said.
With NZ Racing Desk
Leading New Zealand trainer Jamie Richard will look to head to the All-Star Mile third-up with star mare Probabeel.
Probabeel was one of a number of stars that trialled for Richards at Matamata on Tuesday, with 11-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle among the 32 horses the stable took for a hit out.
It was a pleasing effort from Probabeel, who went on to win her 800m ahead of stablemate and fellow Brendan and Jo Lindsay-owned filly Kahma Lass.
Both Probabeel and Kahma Lass will head to Australia, Richards confirmed.
“I was really pleased with the way they trialled, particularly Probabeel over half a mile,” Richards said.
Press Release – NZ Bloodstock
With just under six weeks to go until the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), we are currently in a period of calm before the storm.
Top spot on the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO table still belongs to
Avonallo (NZ) (Belardo), the last-start winner of the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton on November 14. He has so far earned $33,750 in his three-start career.
Welcome Stakes runner-up
Follow Your Dreams (NZ) (Contributer) remains in second with $32,250, ahead of the Glen Harvey-trained pair of Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) and
PETER RUBERY/RACE IMAGES/Stuff
Johnathan Parkes guides Whimsical to victory in the group 3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni on Saturday.
RACING: Lightly raced Cambridge visitor Whimsical showed she will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming age-group staying features when she produced a gritty performance to take out the group 3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600 metres) at just her third start. The Stephen Marsh-trained Savabeel filly had hinted she had plenty of ability when she easily accounted for her maiden rivals over 1400m at Te Rapa last month. Marsh had no hesitation in stepping the filly up to stakes company and was rewarded with a strong victory at Awapuni, Palmerston North, on Saturday, courtesy of a heady ride by Johnathan Parkes.