Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will get one last chance at winning a feature race in Sydney with the 14-time Group 1 winner cleared to take her place in Saturday’s Gr.1 $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill.
The mare’s place in her first ever attempt at a 2400-metre race was in doubt on Wednesday when stewards reported she was tying-up after her track gallop.
But Racing NSW confirmed the news she was free to race on Friday morning when blood tests taken from the mare were received by Racing NSW general manager of veterinary services Dr Toby Koenig.
A stewards’ report said the blood test results had shown “significant improvement” and the mare was deemed “suitable to race”.
“Trainer Jamie Richards has advised the mare has responded well to treatment and has been exercised by swimming since Wednesday without displaying any signs of tying-up,” the report said.
The Tancred is set to be Melody Belle’s last attempt at winning or being placed in a race in Sydney after six failed attempts previously.
From the Tancred, her Te Akau Racing connections are eyeing a farewell to racing in Queensland for the mare in the Group 2 Hollindale Cup (1800m) on the Gold Coast on May 8 before the Group 1 $700,000 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 22.
She is listed to be then sold at the Magic Millions National Broodmare sale in Brisbane in May.