Opie Bosson knows Melody Belle well – having ridden her to victory in 5 of her 12 Group 1 triumphs – and thinks that hoop Jye McNeil will love riding her on Saturday in the 2020 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).
Melody Belle flew home in last year’s Mackinnon Stakes to finish second behind Magic Wand, who has since retired due to a foot abscess that halted her most recent spring campaign.
The Kiwi mare returned home to New Zealand after a few below par performances in Sydney early this spring, and has quickly returned to form with back-to-back Group 1 wins in her homeland, prompting a return to Melbourne.
"Here comes a dozen"
"Here comes the Queen of the Bay"
"Here comes the Queen of New Zealand racing"
"Melody Belle… Waaaaay too good!"Group 1 #12 up for @TeAkauRacing's Melody Belle in the Livamol Classic pic.twitter.com/pEGvS3hJ6R
— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) October 17, 2020
Bosson spoke to Racenet and said that McNeil has a huge chance to cap off a big Flemington Carnival with the ride on Melody Belle.
“Jye will love riding her – she is push-button and he can ride her where he wants from the barrier.
“She is totally straightforward to ride and he will be able to put her anywhere and switch her off.
“It will be a totally no fuss ride for him and I think he can finish off a big week on another high.”
*Odds accurate at time of posting.
| Horse | Win | Place | ||
| 1 | Harlem (1)J: Craig Williams 59kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes | $21.00 | $5.00 | Bet Now |
| 2 | Fifty Stars (8)J: John Allen 59kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes | $8.00 | $2.45 | Bet Now |
| 3 | Mr Quickie (3)J: Unknown 59kg T: P Stokes | $12.00 | $3.50 | Bet Now |
| 4 | Mirage Dancer (7)J: Michael Dee 59kg T: T Busuttin & N Young | $31.00 | $6.50 | Bet Now |
| 5 | Mugatoo (9)J: Hugh Bowman 59kg T: K A Lees | $4.40 | $1.70 | Bet Now |
| 6 | Skyward (4)J: Glen Boss 59kg T: T Busuttin & N Young | $21.00 | $5.00 | Bet Now |
| 7 | Dalasan (2)J: Jamie Kah 58.5kg T: L Macdonald & A Gluyas | $11.00 | $3.20 | Bet Now |
| 8 | Melody Belle (6)J: Jye Mcneil 57kg T: J W Richards | $4.80 | $1.80 | Bet Now |
| 9 | Arcadia Queen (5)J: Damian Lane 57kg T: G & A Williams | $3.70 | $1.50 | Bet Now |
| 10 | Shout The Bar (10)J: Damien Oliver 56.5kg T: G Waterhouse & A Bott | $16.00 | $4.00 | Bet Now |
