Melody Belle’s deeds this season have placed her in rarefied company.

The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards’-trained daughter of Commands enjoyed an outstanding campaign that netted her the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, the Karaka Million and the Gr.2 Sires’ Produce Stakes in Brisbane.

Her overall record stands at four wins and a placing from seven starts with $865,444 in prize money.

“It’s not easy to compare horses and we’ve had champion two-year-olds Darci Brahma, Maroofity, Warhorse and War Affair, but the way Melody Belle won those three big races said to me that in thirty years of buying, syndicating, and training horses that she’s as a good a two-year-old as we’ve ever had,” Te Akau principal Ellis said.

“She was the only New Zealand two-year-old to win this season at Group level in Australia and we are particularly proud of what she achieved in her first season of racing.”

Melody Belle, who was purchased by Ellis at Karaka for $57,500 for Fortuna Syndications, is currently enjoying a good break and on her return the Sistema Railway at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day will be a Group One goal.

“We feel she is the right sort of filly to then step up to the $1 million Karaka 3YO Mile at the end of January,” Ellis said.

“Following that she could look to major races like the Coolmore Classic at Randwick, in Sydney if she was happy getting over a bit more ground.”