Trish Dunell Photography
The connections of Irish Cream are planning to follow the same path as Group One-winning stablemate Melody Belle to the Karaka Million.
The daughter of O’Reilly will make her debut in the Tavistock Owners Syndicate 2YO at Ruakaka on Wednesday and rates a big chance after a trials win at Te Teko recently.
“She’s a lovely filly who has done everything right,” co-trainer Jamie Richards said. “Obviously it’s only eight days after the trial, which is not ideal, but it’s a chance of a trip away. Hopefully she’ll jump and put herself in the race.
“This is the same race Melody Belle won first-up last year and we plan to follow a similar path to the Karaka Million if we think she is up to it.”
Melody Belle went on to finish third in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), then was unplaced at Ellerslie in a lead-up to the Karaka Million before winning the big one in convincing fashion. She then went on to win the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and the Gr.2 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
A $210,000 purchase at Karaka by David Ellis, Irish Cream is from a three-time winning Zabeel mare Zantelagh and her second dam is the Gr.1 VATC Oakleigh Plate winner Dantelah.