APG purchase claims fourth Group One

EXCITING filly Jewel Melody registered her fourth Group One success by securing last night’s $104,000 Qbred Triad Final at Albion Park .

Trained and driven by Bernie Hewitt, Jewel Melody’s previous top shelf victories came in the Bathurst Gold Tiara, Australian Pacing Gold Bullion and the APG Brisbane Sale Final.

Owned by Wayne and Julie Loader, the two-year-old boasts an impeccable record of seven wins and four placings from 11 starts for earnings of $309,094.

The Loaders also own Jewel Melody’s stablemate, Ripp, which is a dual Group One winner this season.

Also an Australian Pacing Gold purchase, Ripp boasts six wins and a third from 10 starts.

But the moment belongs to Jewel Melody, which continues to impress Hewitt.

“She went super tonight,” Hewitt said. “They really stretched her out early in the race and she had to work harder than I would have liked to find the pegs.

“Luckily once we found the front, she got a bit of a breather which enabled her to run away from them up the straight.”

Rating a slick 1:53.6 over 1660 metres, Jewel Melody scored by 13 metres from Bronski Delight, with Empress Byeline three metres away third.

To be given a short break upon her return home the daughter of Captaintreacherous will then be readied for another interstate campaign.

“Her next challenge will be the Breeders’ Crown in Victoria in November,” Hewitt said. “That will allow me to give her a three-week let up and then have her ready in time for the series.”

In a successful night for Bathurst pacers, the Chris Frisby-owned and trained Aunty won the listed Final for four-year-old mares.

Aunty Bella has been a regular in Queensland, traveling between states to contest features.

After racing in the breeze for the majority of the 2138-metre trip, the daughter of Western Terror scored by 10 metres from Jasper.

She’s Mis Devine was two metres away third in 1:55.1.

• MICHAEL DUMESNY