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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.
Melody Belle matches Sunline s 13 G1 wins with Thorndon Mile victory at Trentham
Melody Belle matches Sunline s 13 G1 wins with Thorndon Mile victory Top NZ mare Melody Belle Image: Getty
Melody Belle has equalled Sunline s record of 13 Group One wins by a New Zealand horse with victory in Saturday s Thorndon Mile at Trentham.
The Jamie Richards-trained mare was expected to get the job done in her first-up run for the campaign, sent around as the $1.40 favourite.
While she was made to fight for the record-matching victory, Melody Belle s class shone through, taking out the Thorndon Mile by just over a length.