Talented Fillies Target G.3 NZB Desert Gold Stakes

As we have come to expect from this season's NZB Filly of the Year Series contests, the Group 3 $70,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) has attracted another strong line up of fillies.

The field has an interesting mix of battle-hardened fillies with loads of race experience, as well as some exciting up-and-coming talent that is quickly moving through the ranks.

The winner of the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic Smoulder (Traditionally x Flying Firebird) heads the 17 strong field. Producing a bold effort to hold off the Group 1 winner Banchee and Annie Higgins, the Group 2 win took the Graeme & Mark Sanders trained filly to second place in the NZB Filly of the Year Series, and a win on Saturday would inch her closer to the breakaway leader King's Rose.

Blinding (Black Minnaloushe x Dazzling Walk), Rememba Howe (Handsome Ransom x Yachting Magic), Ishma (Ishiguru x Maidjeu) and Designacat (One Cool Cat x Scenic Design) were all undone in the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic. Each of the fillies has shown winning form this season with Rememba Howe currently sitting in third place in the NZB Filly of the Year Series following her win in the Gold Trail Stakes and third placing in the Eulogy Stakes.

Hugely impressive in her last start, Kiwi Lady (Ruby's Jester x Luscious Lady) has shown that she has a fair bit to offer on the track, winning three of her four race day appearances. Trained by Kevin Gray, her only track defeat was to the Group 1 winner and Series leader King's Rose in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes, where she ran a strong second beating the tough filly Rememba Howe. She is another who will be having her first start in stakes company and is one to keep a sharp eye on.

The O'Reilly filly Dating (ex Mandate) had a terrific two-year-old season, with the Listed Ryder Stakes among her three wins. She has not been too far away this season but has yet to produce a winning performance. The Graeme & Debbie Rogerson trained filly had a successful trip to the trials on January 6, winning over 1000 metres, and will be one to watch out for come Saturday's race.

Unbeaten fillies, the Allan Sharrock trained Shez Sinsational (Ekraar x Original Sin) and the Brett McDonald trained Koe (Align x Go Anna), are both lining up with two wins from two starts apiece. Both are having their first starts in a black type event. Connections will be keen to see them extend their unbeaten records, as they add intrigue to a good field.

Fillies Run to the Bank (Bahhare x Rebus) and Waiana Gold (Gold Centre x Waiana) also come into the race with winning form. Run to the Bank put on an impressive display to win at her last start on 14 Jan, and has now won or placed in four of her career outings, and Waiana Gold finished first in a dead heat in the More FM 90.3 Maiden over 1600 metres on 4 Jan, her maiden victory from her 12 starts to date.

Hot Pursuit (Spartacus x Dominant), L'Amour (Towkay x Penthouse Blue) and Angel Del Dinero (My Halo x Habalook) come into the race with good form, all running a place in their last starts. Angel Del Dinero made a winning debut and ran a good third at her last start to the talented Shez Sinsational.

The Roger James trained Insurgent (Ishiguru x Stella Attrice) is another that punters should keep on their radar. She has only had four starts on the track but unwound well for a tidy third to Yourein in the Listed Championship Stakes Prelude, and another good sixth to King's Rose in the Group 2 NZB Royal Stakes.

Our Milly Smith (Volksraad x Sound Lear) and Ormond Road (City On A Hill x Pub Singa) are also in the field and have both recorded race day success.

The winner of the Group 3 $70,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) will receive six points in the NZB Filly of the Year Series, with second place receiving three points and third receiving one-and-a-half points.

The current leader in the NZB Filly of the Year Series is King's Rose (Redoute's Choice x Nureyev's Girl) with 26 points, 14.5 points clear of the second placed Smoulder on 11 points, with Rememba Howe in third with 7.5 points.

ENDS

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