Melody Belle will be late nomination for J J Atkins

Nominal favourite Melody Belle is missing from the first acceptances for the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben on June 10 following a communication oversight.

Trainer Peter Snowden, above, has Taking Aim in the J J Atkins first acceptances.  Photo by Daniel Costello.

Trainer Peter Snowden, above, has Taking Aim in the J J Atkins first acceptances. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Giant New Zealand-based racing stable Te Akau Racing released a statement on twitter today saying that they will pay an $18,000 late nomination fee to get Melody Belle back into the field for the Group 1 for the two year olds.

“Unfortunately due to a communication misunderstanding around the deadline, the 1st acceptances for Shocking Luck (Qld Derby) and Melody Belle (JJ Atkins) were late.

“We will submit late nominations for both horses, who, provided all is well, are definite starters. Whilst we are disappointed, Te Akau accepts full responsibility and has rectified the matter accordingly,” Te Akau Racing tweeted.

Nineteen two year olds made up the first acceptances for the J J Atkins while the $18,000 late fee will also be paid for three year old Shocking Luck who was also absent from the list of twenty-four first acceptors for the Group 1 $600,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben on June 10.

Melody Belle and Shocking Luck are both trained in New Zealand by Matamata partnership Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

Melody Belle cemented favouritism for the J J Atkins with a super impressive win in the Group 2 $250,000 Mitavite BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday and is the obvious horse to beat on Saturday week.

The Commands filly lived right up to her New Zealand form which includes wins in the NZ$1m Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 29 and in the Group 1 NZ$225,000 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 1.

Shocking Luck put himself into contention for the Queensland Derby with a solid win in the Group 3 $125,000 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 13 but then failed to handle the shifty Eagle Farm track when a fading sixth to Order Again in the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Meldoy Belle is still included in the market order for the J J Atkins and is the $2.40 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Qiji Phoenix and Taking Aim both at $7 and Capital Gain at $7.50.

And in Queensland Derby betting Shocking Luck in well in commission at $6 behind the equal $5 favourites Order Again and Volatile Mix.

Market order for the J J Atkins at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.40 Melody Belle, $7 Qiji Phoenix, Taking Aim, $7.50 Capital Gain, $13 Aloisia, Tangled, Sambro, Snitzepeg, $15 Pardoe, Pierata, $26 Lord Cecil, Magnufighter, $51 Charlie Chap, Legal Girl, $67 Eminent, Noble Hussler, $81 Mishani Bullitt, Silky Brown, $101 Up Trumpz, $201 Holbrook.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.