3 minute read
Melody Belle wins Empire Rose Stakes Group 1, $1,000,000 at Flemington, 1600m.
Champion New Zealand mare Melody Belle staged an excellent performance in scoring her 15th win and her tenth Group 1 victory in 25 starts.
She was eased from her wide barrier (13) after being caught deep by Opie Bosson and settled well back in 11th place before commencing a wide move on entering the straight.
She then stormed home, hit the front at the 100m and then went on to score impressively by a length and a half.
Aristia enjoyed a nice trip from her inside barrier (1) racing in fourth place on the rails. She got through on the inner on turning for home, grabbed a break at the 200m and then fought well for second.
Spanish Reef settled in sixth place, one off the rails, improved on straightening and then kept fighting on to take third. Princess Jenni raced back in tenth place, went deep on turning for home and then kept running on well for (4 length) fourth.