MELODY Belle, a NZ$57,500 Commands yearling from 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier sale improved her record to a fourth Group 1 win, and her third since September, with a well fought victory in the BCD Group Sprint over 1,400 metres. Trained by Jamie Richards, the four-year-old filly signalled her talent early with a win in the two-year-old Karaka Million, that single race returning almost 10-times her purchase price.

“She’s another good horse that David Ellis has purchased at Karaka,” said Richards. “She’s very special and going awesome. Hopefully we can push one more at elite level with her,” he added despite admitting he doubted her ability turning for home, especially following her inexplicable 16th of 18, last start in the Group 1 Telegraph as a $2.50 favourite.

“I must admit I gave her away a bit at the top of the straight,” he said. “But full credit to the horse, she is just so tough and never gives up. I don’t know what happened at Trentham, but that is the real Melody Belle today.”

Second went to the Jimmy Choux gelding Bostonian, with the Redoute’s Choice horse Ardrossan third. It was also a delight for jockey Troy Harris whose last Group 1 was 10 years ago. Earlier on the card he landed the Group 2 Waikato Guineas, getting the win on the Keeper gelding Sponge Bob for co-trainers Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker.

On The Rocks lands Group 1

MIKE Moroney and Pam Gerard have combined with Australian jockey Jake Bayliss to land a second Group 1 together, this time with the Alamosa horse On The Rocks. Sent out a 15/1 shot in the Herbie Dyke Stakes over 2,000 metres at Te Rapa, On The Rocks was settled midfield before Bayliss used the race favourite Danzdanzdance to take him into the race.

Switching off heels once balanced in the straight, the finish of On The Rocks was irresistible, suggesting tougher races are not out of the four-year-old’s reach.

“He’s a great little horse,” said Pam Gerard. “He’s been underrated all the way along. He’s only a little grey thing, but he has a huge heart.

“He’s a stable pet and we all love him. He’s still an entire, but we’d never really considered the prospect of a stallion career – maybe that could change now. He races for a crazy group of owners. We’re all having so much fun, and hopefully he’s not finished yet.”

Fifer

A New Zealand Bloodstock Select sale buy for NZ$40,000, On The Rocks has now won five times from 12 starts earning over $430,000.

Home by over a length, he defeated the O’Reilly gelding Tiptronic and the Northern Meteor gelding Elusive Treasure.

“The last 100 metres was the greatest feeling of my life,” said Jake Bayliss.

“I’ve been a little unwell lately. I came off one the other morning and busted a couple ribs. If it was any other day I would have rested but a Group 1 meeting doesn’t come around very often. He’s taken not just myself, but also Pam and the owners for a great journey.”