Star mare Melody Belle gave herself a shot at the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown when she ran to a commanding win in the Windsor Park Plate at Hastings on Saturday.
The recently crowned New Zealand horse of the year made it group 1 win number eight when dashing away from rivals to win the 1600m feature by more than two lengths.
Rider Opie Bosson was left in awe of the Jamie Richards-trained 5yr-old after making it back-to-back group 1 wins in his first ride on Melody Belle since winning the Bonecrusher Stakes in March.
''She's just amazing, right from when she was a 2-year-old and on to now,'' he said in his post-race interview.
''It's been an amazing job by Jamie and the whole team at Te Akau, for what they have done, and for her to keep winning the way she has.''
Bosson quickly found a handy spot for Melody Belle in the running line for his mare after the start.
The pair sat back off a hot early speed as Vigor Winner, Shadows Cast and Crown Prosecutor vied for the lead.
Bosson then launched Melody Belle for her winning run before the home turn, and none of her rivals could go with her.
''I got into a good spot as they went quite hard.
''I got going a bit earlier than I had planned, but we were just going too good.
''She's just got that will to win and doesn't know when to say never.
''Every time she goes out, she gives you 110 percent, and if she does go a bad race there is obviously something wrong.''
Though Sultan Of Swing could not match Melody Belle's finish, he ran on well from the rear to take second. Mongolian Marshal fought hard in the straight to hold third.
Melody Belle's Windsor Park Plate and Tarzino Trophy victories give her wins in the first two legs of the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown.
The final leg - The Livimol Classic - will be run at Hastings on October 5.
