Winning Debut for Melody Belle Sibling

Media Release - Sunday October 27

Exaltation, a three-year-old half-sister by Not a Single Doubt to star mare Melody Belle, turned in an impressive debut victory when winning the Helston & Associates Maiden (1200) at Riccarton on Saturday for trainer Jamie Richards.

$900,000 Karaka purchase Exaltation is a winner - Race ImagesA $900,000 yearling purchase at Karaka by Te Akau principal David Ellis, Exaltation looks to have inherited a fair dose of the family ability, extending nicely under a patient Chris Johnson ride to win with plenty in hand.

“That was a good win from a filly that we’ve always liked,” Richards said.  

“She was an expensive yearling that copped an injury as a two-year-old, which held her up and we’ve had a frustrating run of hold-ups with her.

“She trialled okay in July, but never appreciated the heavy winter ground and we gave her a bit of time. But, she’s through all the hold-ups now and can only continue to improve. We thought she was a 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) filly, but unfortunately we just ran out of time and we’ll just go quietly now.

“The team in the South Island has been through a frustrating period, but I’d like to thank Dad (Paul Richards) and the staff for continuing to do their utmost and hopefully the weather will be in our favour from now on.”

Richards suggested a likely target could be a three-year-old 1400m race on the middle day of New Zealand Cup and Show Week at Riccarton.

“She’ll come home after that and we can get her ready for races on the other side of Christmas,” he said. “She could well be a very nice filly in the making.”

Te Akau principal David Ellis had the distinction of buying Melody Belle as a yearling at Karaka, and following inspections was keen to purchase her half-sister, from the draft of Haunui Farm, at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale.

Both fillies were bred by Marie Leicester and Exaltation is raced by the Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies Breeding Syndicate.

Advertisement

“I’m absolutely thrilled for the people that invested in my fillies syndicate,” Ellis said. “Since we bought this filly, Melody Belle has won eight Group Ones. So, as you can imagine she’s got fantastic residual value. But, it’s a hell of a bonus to see her come out and win under a stranglehold.

“The magic man (Chris Johnson) doesn’t ride very much for Te Akau, but, boy, he’s got a great strike rate for the team over the years.

“It was a great thrill to see her win on debut. We’ve got two other nice fillies for the syndicate and just haven’t had any luck with them, but their day in the sun will come. The syndicate has been so patient and for them to be rewarded with the win gave me the biggest thrill I’ve had for a long time.”

Exaltation is a daughter of Not A Single Doubt and comes from the famed Belle family, fashioned over generations.

“I’ve been watching fillies from this family racing for the past 40 years,” Ellis said. “Their breeders, the Sarten family, and their daughter Marie Leicester, have always done a fantastic job and are really good horse people.

“She was a standout filly from the moment I saw her at Haunui Farm, a stunner. She took everything in her stride at the sales complex and never turned a hair.

“I opened the bidding at $800,000. The first time I’d ever done that, but I knew there were a lot of people that were on the filly at the sale and I thought my only chance of getting her was to be very strong. I bought her for $900,000, but, the real bonus has been Melody Belle winning a further eight Group Ones since then.”  - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Helston & Associates Mdn 1200m

Riccarton Park Track: Slow(7) Time: 1:11.50
1
Exaltation
- 3f Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: C W Johnson 54
2
1.8
Savvy Lad
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Baheeya (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S R Weatherley 56
3
3.6
Sligo
- 6g Pins (AUS) x Trocair (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: N F Ridley Rdr: K Asano 55.5
4
4.9
Clubcard
- 3f Zacinto (GB) x Viviane (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S L Wynne 54
5
5.1
Xplosion
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Xpress (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: C A Campbell 52
6
6.9
Touchabeel
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Final Touch (NZ) (Kashani (USA))
Tnr: J & K Parsons Rdr: A Comignaghi 54
7
8.5
Elle Makfi
- 3f Makfi (GB) x Blue Quail (AUS) (Bluebird (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: K Chowdhoory 54
8
9.9
Dal Lad
- 4g Dalghar (FR) x Andalan (AUS) (Bellotto (USA))
Tnr: N White & L Callaway Rdr: Rohan Mudhoo 55.5
9
11.1
Mistress Quickly
- 5m Saperavi (NZ) x Patient (NZ) (Doctor David (USA))
Tnr: N F Ridley Rdr: C K Kwo 53.5
10
12.0
Lachie's Mate
- 3g Zacinto (GB) x Libby Surprize (NZ) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: K & P Hughes Rdr: C R Barnes 56
11
12.1
Bungay
- 4g Rothesay (AUS) x Burndiniburn (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: J R Lowry 58.5
12
16.2
The Buffer
- 3g Reliable Man (GB) x Wahaha (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: T R Moseley 56
13
18.3
She's Foxy
- 4m Showcasing (GB) x Sammy Fox (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: M P McCann Rdr: K Mudhoo 56.5
14
31.4
Bella Eve
- 3f He's Remarkable (NZ) x Danbelle (NZ) (Danske (NZ))
Tnr: C L Spittles Rdr: Ms K Williams 53
More Reading...
Zoustar 7YO Chasing G1 for Cambridge Stud
South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse.
First Foals for Lofty Strike
One of the most interesting young stallions that we saw on the recent Victorian stud tour was at Swettenham Stud and it has not taken long for the big baldy face of Lofty Strike to find it’s way on to one of his first foals.
Vale, G1 winning horseman Tony Dennis
A member of one of New Zealand racing’s most famous and successful families has died, with the recent passing of Tony (Anthony) Dennis, aged 86.
Tara Talks Racing - We Chat with the Breeder of Raging Force
The Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes was won last Saturday by exciting Cosmic Force gelding Raging Force, so this week we’re chatting to his breeder Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, who has a self-confessed ‘mare addiction’!
Sires With Winners - Monday September 1
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 2
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spring Trial Watch – Caulfield
With a plethora of Group racing for colts and geldings last weekend and fillies to take centre stage Sydney on Saturday for the Group II ATC Furious Stakes it was interesting to see a Caulfield trial on Tuesday morning that featured six stakes-winning 3YO’s.
Winning Debut for Blueblood Frankel Filly
We usually associate the Mark Walker stable with the tangerine colours of Te Akau racing, but it was John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds colours in the frame for the astute Kiwi trainer trainer at Benalla on Tuesday carried by blueblood Frankel filly Chateau Eze.
Five Lots Announced for Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale
Tattersalls Online, Europe’s leading online thoroughbred sales platform, will break new ground when offering for auction five lots who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this week. The sale which takes place on 3rd – 4th September can be viewed on the Tattersalls Online website www.tattersallsonline.com.
Waller Stable Hold the Key to Melbourne Cup
Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller has 27 of the 120 entries for this year’s $10million Melbourne Cup, which equates to more than 20 per cent of the total, so it’s probably worth having a closer look at them.