Karaka Million winner Melody Belle
Trish Dunell
Haunui graduates Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) - pictured - Princess Rihanna (NZ) (Showcasing) and Ujjayyi (NZ) (Iffraaj) will line up in the Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday to continue Haunui's strong presence in New Zealand's feature 2YO events this year.
Karaka Million winner Melody Belle was one of four Haunui Farm graduates to line up in our richest race for 2YO's at the end of January and delivered with a stunning performance. Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream) filly Princess Rihanna finished fourth that night, storming home late after an interrupted run in the straight. The Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly has been in and around some tight finishes in feature two-year-old racing also finishing fourth in the Group Two Matamata Breeders' Stakes at her last start and filled the same place again in the Group Three Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes on New Year's Day.
Ujjayyi was impressive on debut at Te Aroha in early February showing her rivals a clean pair of heels for a comfortable three-length win over 1000m. Having franked trainer Tony Pike's high opinion of her, Ujjayyi threw a spanner in the works in the Group Two Matamata Breeders' Stakes running off badly on the turn and subsequently blundering any chance of featuring in the finish. Saturday will see Ujjayyi with a chance to redeem herself and what better way than a Group One victory to erase her last start effort.
Haunui Farm's Managing Director Mark Chitty says, "to have three graduates lining up in the race on Saturday is another great result for the farm and our clients.' These three fillies were all born and raised at Haunui with Melody Belle and Princess Rihanna both going through the yearling sale ring whilst Ujjayyi was retained to race and she has been through our breaking-in and pre-training system here at the farm.
"To land a Group One from our current crop of two-year-olds would be the icing on the cake after Melody Belle won the Karaka Million. The biggest question mark is how they will handle the track conditions but, the same can be said for the entire field. Melody Belle has the points on the board already and both Iffraaj and Showcasing have left Karaka Million winners and we know Princess Rihanna and Ujjayyi have the ability.
"We've had a great week after the result of the Derby and here's hoping we're celebrating again on Saturday!"
Karaka Million winner Melody Belle was one of four Haunui Farm graduates to line up in our richest race for 2YO's at the end of January and delivered with a stunning performance. Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream) filly Princess Rihanna finished fourth that night, storming home late after an interrupted run in the straight. The Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly has been in and around some tight finishes in feature two-year-old racing also finishing fourth in the Group Two Matamata Breeders' Stakes at her last start and filled the same place again in the Group Three Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes on New Year's Day.
Ujjayyi was impressive on debut at Te Aroha in early February showing her rivals a clean pair of heels for a comfortable three-length win over 1000m. Having franked trainer Tony Pike's high opinion of her, Ujjayyi threw a spanner in the works in the Group Two Matamata Breeders' Stakes running off badly on the turn and subsequently blundering any chance of featuring in the finish. Saturday will see Ujjayyi with a chance to redeem herself and what better way than a Group One victory to erase her last start effort.
Haunui Farm's Managing Director Mark Chitty says, "to have three graduates lining up in the race on Saturday is another great result for the farm and our clients.' These three fillies were all born and raised at Haunui with Melody Belle and Princess Rihanna both going through the yearling sale ring whilst Ujjayyi was retained to race and she has been through our breaking-in and pre-training system here at the farm.
"To land a Group One from our current crop of two-year-olds would be the icing on the cake after Melody Belle won the Karaka Million. The biggest question mark is how they will handle the track conditions but, the same can be said for the entire field. Melody Belle has the points on the board already and both Iffraaj and Showcasing have left Karaka Million winners and we know Princess Rihanna and Ujjayyi have the ability.
"We've had a great week after the result of the Derby and here's hoping we're celebrating again on Saturday!"