By Mike Dillon
Roger James ended up with only one of his two stable stars running at yesterday's Cambridge trials, but still came away smiling.
James would not run Foxwood when he declared the Cambridge track too firm for the class mare but two heats later Melora showed in dashing style she was ready for a huge autumn campaign.
Melora had only smart improver Hummer as a mate in the 1400m open heat and was clear from the start, running away by six lengths in a smart 1:22.77, the 600m in 35.5. It was an outstanding solo gallop.
She's a very good mare and has improved a lot since her 3-year-old winter campaign," said James.
"She looked like a refugee in condition in Brisbane, yet was still just beaten in the Queensland Derby in her third run in 14 days.
"Goodness only knows what she'll be capable of this campaign if she was able to do that."
Melora's manners will probably never make her anyone's idea of the perfect dinner guest, but she has improved thanks to the efforts of Ross Elliot and James' stable employee Clare Weston-Arnold.
She will never be robust but has built up since her last campaign and on yesterday's trial will take all sorts of beating fresh-up at Ellerslie on Saturday week.
The Sydney Cup is Melora's main autumn goal.
"After Ellerslie we'll confirm it, but at this stage she will have a 2000m and a 2400m in Sydney before the Cup," said James.
"That's only three races going into a major 3200m Cup, but if there's one horse you can do that with, it's her."
Foxwood will have to go into the group one $80,000 El Cheapo Cars at Otaki on Thursday next week without a trial.
"I just couldn't risk her," said James, explaining that having to fit the mare for such a tough race first up was the lesser of two evils.
"I can't risk jarring her up."
To overcome Foxwood's tendency to become gross when away from racing, James has restricted her feed lately.
"She's probably more ready to resume racing than she's been in any of her previous campaigns."
Classy filly Zino Belle was tiring in the final stages of her heat but impressed finishing third in what will be her trial for the group two Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday week.
"She's stronger this time in and I'd like to get Shane Dye on her," said trainer Laurie Laxon.
Des's Dream, a group one winner in Sydney last autumn, was given a quiet trial, edging closer to finish six lengths from the dead-heaters. He will resume in the El Cheapo at Otaki then head to Sydney for the George Ryder Stakes.
It was a tough day at the Cambridge trials with barrier stalls assistant Bud Cave being taken to hospital with a fractured jaw after being kicked in the face by a horse.
Linda Ballantyne had to stand down with a leg injury and shock after being thrown heavily when her mount jumped from the barrier and did a u-turn.
Pictured: Matamata mare Melora. HERALD PICTURE / NICOLA TOPPING
Horse Racing: Melora shines in comeback trial
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