Racing: Melody Belle bests Sunline record for Group One wins

The queen of New Zealand racing now sits alone on the throne.

Melody Belle has taken out the Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie to claim her 14th Group One victory, overtaking great mare Sunline for the most by a Kiwi horse. 

The six-year-old mare ran straight past stablemate Avantage in the 2000m race.

"She's a champion and champions bounce back, and that's exactly what she's done today," says trainer Jamie Richards.  

Jockey Troy Harris rode the horse for the fourth time, recording his fourth win.

"Fantastic win, thrilled for Troy," says Richards. "Just a feel good story, isn't it?"

Melody Belle was able to overcome a ninth-place finish in her last race to make history at Ellerslie. 

“Really proud of her today, she's silenced a few critics,” Richards adds. 

Richards is coy on where she will head next, but admits heading across the Tasman is an option, as she continues her farewell tour. 

Another Richards-trained mare, Probabeel, was in action in Melbourne on Saturday, racing in the world's richest mile race - the All Star Mile - but conditions did not suit the four-year-old, as she ran unplaced in a race won by Mugatoo.