Kiwi raider Melody Belle has produced a huge turn of foot in the final straight at Eagle Farm to win the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) this afternoon.
Plenty of hype has surrounded Melody Belle’s ability since she debuted and the filly took her place in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes field as a Group 1 winner, and a winner of the famed Karaka Millions race.
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Opie Bosson allowed the filly to stride forward and take an ideal position on the heels of early race leaders Ours To Keep and Malahat.
Rounding onto the final straight and easily striding to the lead, the daughter of Commands kicked clear and found the line four lengths ahead of closest rival Taking Aim; Pierata boxing on to finish third.
Bosson was pleased with the feel offered up by the two-year-old in running and believes that she will only improve at a mile when she takes her position in the Group 1 JJ Atkins field in a fortnight.
“She was just travelling turning for home and when I let her down, she just gave me a huge sprint,”
“All credit to Jamie Richards and Stephen Autridge – she hasn’t run for a while and they’ve brought her here in peak fitness, so it was good to get the win.
“Our heavy tracks are a bit different to here and having not been on this track, you’re always a bit worried.
“She relaxed super and going to the mile next start will be ideal.”
Co-trainer Jamie Richards was pleased with the filly’ performance for success in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and confirmed that the JJ Atkins will figure has her next competitive point of call.
“It was a super ride from Opie – they jumped really well and he put her in a gun spot,” Richards said.
“We didn’t expect her to quicken in as well as she did on the ground, but she’s very impressive and a lovely filly to have in the stable.
“We were mindful that she hadn’t run in a while and it was 1400m on heavy ground, so she should improve further hopefully.
“She trialled well and only had a couple of weeks off. She probably didn’t travel as well as we would have liked, but her work this week has been good.
“She’s buy Commands out of a good, tough staying family in New Zealand and hopefully in two weeks’ time she’ll be spot on.”
Melody Belle is set to start the JJ Atkins as a resounding race favourite, following this afternoon’s dominant win.