Star mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) is back in New Zealand and will be seen at the Rotorua trials on Tuesday in a 1215m heat as she builds towards a raceday return.
The Jamie Richards-trained 10-time Group One winner returned from Sydney after an inconclusive run when a luckless 11th in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) and could be a late-addition to the Hawke’s Bay carnival.
“She has done everything right and Jamie can’t fault her at this stage,” said John Galvin, who manages the Melody Belle Fortuna Syndicate that owns the mare.
“It has been step-by-step and little boxes being ticked, but how she trials tomorrow will have a say as to where we go.
“She had her first full gallop on Saturday morning and Jamie seemed content with that, but the trial tomorrow will really tell us where she is at.
Galvin confirmed the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) are options for the reigning Horse of the Year, should she please in her trial.
“She is not nominated for the races at Hawke’s Bay but there is a late nomination up until Tuesday week,” he said.
“She trials and then Jamie would have a further week to assess her before we make the call as to whether we pay up.”
