Outstanding New Zealand mare Melody Belle, bred on similar lines to Cheveley Stud’s dual G1 winning stallion Wylie Hall, claimed the 12th G1 victory of her career when she won the G1 Livamol Classic at Hastings on Saturday.

Recently named New Zealand’s Horse Of The Year for a second year running, Melody Belle was in a class of her own as she took out her second G1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in imperious fashion for rider Troy Harris.

The six-year-old daughter of Commands was still giving the leaders a sizeable start with 600m to run. Stablemates Avantage and Prise De Fer took over rounding the home bend but Melody Belle was starting to go through her gears as she dashed to the front at the 300m with a powerful burst.
Harris had an armchair ride over the concluding stages as Melody Belle comfortably held out Avantage.

Winning trainer Jamie Richards said after the win, I don’t like to say too much leading into races but she hadn’t put a foot wrong and she was awesome today, just a great mare. It’s a great feeling and the team at home have done a magnificent job with her. We have been under the pump a little as we have horses here, at Riccarton and over in Sydney and they just get on with the job and never moan. Twelve Group Ones, a Karaka Million (1200m) and a Group One win in Melbourne, she is just going great and is nowhere near finished yet.”

Melody Belle, who, like Wylie Hall, traces back to tap root mare Belle Time, has now won 17 of 34 starts for earnings of over $3.8 million in stakes.

A son of Redoute’s Choice, G1 SA Derby/President’s Champions Challenge winner Wylie Hall has 18 lots on the 2020 Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale, and two lots on the 2020 CTS Ready To Run, Unbroken 2 Year Old & Mixed Sale.