Star New Zealand mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) has drawn a wide barrier in a capacity field for the Gr,1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
A nine-time Group One winner in New Zealand including three this spring, the Jamie Richards-trained Melody Belle has drawn barrier 13 in the field of 16 for Saturday’s mile weight-for-age race for fillies and mares.
Fellow New Zealand-bred mare Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral) has drawn gate 10, Last year’s VRC Oaks winner Aristia (Lonhro) has the inside barrier while the Robbie Griffiths-trained Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) has the outside gate.
There are no three-year-old fillies in this year’s field.
Trainer Chris Waller, who won the race last year with Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel), has Invincibella (I Am Invincible) (barrier 14) and Noire (Foxwedge) (barrier 11) in the Empire Rose while Noire is also first emergency for Saturday’s Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) on the same program.
