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The Otaki-Maori Classic run at Otaki on Saturday is often won by top WFA milers.

Melody Belle was a grand mare and she took this out. The 2024 Otaki-Maori Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday shapes as a top race.

2024 OTAKI-MAORI CLASSIC - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Otaki-Maori Classic is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for sprinters at Otaki race course conducted by the Otaki-Maori Racing Club.

The Otaki-Maori Classic is run over 1600m.

The Otaki-Maori Classic was known as the Haunui Farm Classic and is a patterned race after the Waikato Sprint.

In 2018 the race was moved to Hastings as Otaki had drainage problems after some flooding.

2006 saw Darci Brahma win the race as a 3yo before being defeated by Apache Cat in the Australian Guineas.

Melody Belle was in a purple patch in 2019 taking this race in between the Waikato Sprint and the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. She would win races at home and abroad.

Avantage is almost cut from the same cloth winning another G1 in 2020 for the same stable. She won the same Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes after this too. She backed it up in 2021 beating a good field.

The Otaki-Maori Classic was worth NZ$400,000 in 2024.

Notable winners of Otaki-Maori Classic include Levante (2023), Avantage (2020/2021), Melody Belle (2019), Kawi (2017), Volkstok'n'barrell (2016), Nashville (2013/2014), Veyron (2012), Mufhasa (2010), Alamosa (2008), Sir Slick (2007), Darci Brahma (2006), King's Chapel (2004), Surface (2000), Allegro (1995), Javelin (1992/1993), Rough Habit (1991), Westminster (1990), Poetic Prince (1988/1989) and Society Bay (1987).

The 2023 Otaki-Maori Classic was won by Levante from La Crique and Chase.