The orange tick of approval was reminiscent of last year but quite a few other variables had changed in the marquee Windsor Park Plate in Hastings today.
A more sedate but overwhelmed legion of the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate opted to hug and plant kisses on Malaysian-born, Singapore-based jockey ShafiqRusof after he rode 4-year-old Bay mare Melody Belle to a barnstorming victory in the marquee race of the second leg of the Bostock New Zealand Spring Racing Carnival, the group 1 Windsor Park Plate.
Last year another Te Akau Racing syndicate, the baseball cap-wearing G Nuts, created an orange wave with Opie Bosson riding the then 6-year-old chestnut gelding, Gingernuts, to victory here under the tutelage of Matamata co-trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.
But today was a solo effort from Richards who had emphatically backed up the first leg of the Bay spring carnival, the Tarzino Trophy, with a consecutive group 1 crown three weeks later.
The 28-year-old trainer had declared pre-race they weren't intending to stray from the game plan of Melody Belle and Rusof despite the 200m boost in distance from 1400m to 1600m.
Any expectations of the Peter Lock-trained Hiflyer doing the unthinkable, after a close second in the Tarzino , were quashed as jockey Johnathan Parkes had to settle for sixth place with the 6-year-old gelding as the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Savvy Coup (Chris Johnson) and Wyndspelle (Jason Waddell), under the tutelage of Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard, came in second and third respectively.
Conversely, it can be deduced the 200m extra distance today didn't suit Hiflyer so it'll be interesting to find out what Te Aroha trainer Lock's take is on that.
If racing enthusiasts had harboured any romantic notions of Melody Belle returning for the final leg of the weight-for-age spring carnival trilogy, the group 1 $250,000 Livamol Classic, on Saturday, October 6, then they'll be disappointed.
"It's never been the intention to go towards that race so I think she'll definitely spell now unless something drastic changes over the weekend," he said before the classic 2040m distance suited to stayers.
Melody Belle trainer Jamie Richards' smile says it all as he acknowledges numerous well wishers at the birdcage in Hastings today. Photo/Paul Taylor
The well-earned rest will have her in good stead for the Railway Stakes and then the Telegraph in Wellington.
A lost-for-words Rusof didn't need to say much because his craft was there for all to savour.
Asked what horse is likely to give him a fighting chance of a third consecutive group 1 crown in as many races, since mutating into a solo trainer in August, come the Livamol Classic, Richards talked up Our Abbadean (Danielle Johnson) as the best prospect.
The 6-year-old Bay mare, who was third in the Tarzino Trophy, finished sixth today behind Seventh Up (Grant Cooksley).
"Our Abbadean was terrific here today and got back from last to get home so she's right on track for the [2040m] on the last day."
Richards said Our Abbadean, who had been entered in the first two legs in the concerted effort to be fine tuned for the Livamol Classic, was a genuine stayer who should be in with a good chance.
Savvy Coup and Wyndspelle also are touted as Livamol prospects.
Just as Avantage and Johnson had delivered from the No 1 barrier, Melody Belle and Rusof made a robust start to hug the fence to follow on the heels of the cracking pace Contessa Vanessa (apprentice Ryan Elliot) and Sensible Princess (Lisa Allpress) had set.
Unlike the Tarzino Trophy, when the Commands mare had clipped the turn at the 300m turn, the winning combination threw down the gauntlet today but none of the others responded with conviction.
Hastings trainer Guy Lowry had alluded to the significance of securing a favourable starting berth and Richards lend credence to that assertion.
"Barriers win races don't they," he told NZ Racing Desk. "She's terrific, isn't she? And it was a lovely ride by Shafiq."
Te Akau Racing owner David Ellis bought Melody Belle for $57,500 during the premier session of the 2016 National Yearling Sale.
Richards lauded Melody Belle's breeder, Marie Leicester, "a lovely old lady from Auckland".
"I went to university with her granddaughter, Kate Robertson, and she's become a good friend," he said with a smile.
In keeping with tradition, Richards acknowledged the behind-the-scenes work from his stable staff who religiously got up at 3.45am to prepare the breakfast for the horses, take them for swim therapy and other such rituals, as well as the expertise of veterinarians who ensure the equine wheel turns smoothly at Te Akau Racing.
