Te Akau to the fore at home trials
By
2021-01-14T11:14+11:00
It was a big day for trainer Jamie Richards and his team at the Matamata trials on Tuesday, with 32 runners, including star mares Melody Belle and Probabeel.
11-time Group One winner Melody Belle headed into her 1200m heat with plenty of condition, but pleased Richards with her runner-up effort ahead of her Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) target later this month.
“Melody Belle looked pretty big and burly before the start,” Richards said.
“She has got a bit of tightening up to do yet. A big, strong hit-out like that will bring her on and we have got enough time to give her an exhibition gallop before we head to the Thorndon first-up.”