Diamond Deck Comes Up Trumps

Diamond Deck Comes Up Trumps

Diamond Deck (Octagonal x Miss Trump) burst through with a commanding performance in the Group 3 Highview Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday to win the first leg of the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.

Finishing one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of her nearest rival - the previously unbeaten filly Special Mission (Towkay x Te Akau Trek) - Diamond Deck secures the early lead in the Series with the first six points on the leaderboard. The Karreman Bloodstock bred and owned filly performed to the standard her blue-blood pedigree would suggest she's capable of, being a three-quarter-sister to outstanding gallopers Lonhro and Niello.

Trained by Robert Priscott and ridden by Michael Coleman Diamond Deck gave reigning Mercedes Owner of the Year Dick Karreman his second win of the day. Then, two races later, his star mare Seachange took out the Group 1 Stoney Bridge Stakes to complete a hat-trick of wins for Karreman from just three starters at Hastings.

In the first start of her three-year-old season, and fifth race-day start, Diamond Deck's win adds to her three stakes-placings as a two-year-old. Her trip to the Brisbane Winter Carnival saw her bring home a second placing in the Group 2 QTC Sires Produce and third in the Group 2 BTC Champagne Classic. She will continue along her path towards the premier fillies' races in New Zealand including the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas and the Group 1 Gillies Group New Zealand Oaks.

Securing three points for second placing was dual Listed race winner Special Mission under Reese Jones for trainer, Mark Walker.

Lisa Cropp rode the Jim Collett trained Royal Taat (Faltaat x Royal Wink) for third to secure one-and-a-half points on the board. Riverview Farms purchased the filly at the 2006 Karaka Festival Sale for NZ$15,000 from JK Farm.

The NZ$55,000 Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie next Saturday will provide the next instalment in the ten-race New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.

Click here to view the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year race schedule.

Cherry Creek Kicks Off Southern Series

Cherry Creek (Monashee Mountain x Stage Flash) kicked off the new season's New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series by taking home the feature race at Riccartion on Saturday, the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).

The race is the first of the four-race Southern Filly of the Year Series and saw a hefty battle staged for the $55,000 purse between the eventual winner and runner-up Floridita (Fasliyev x Rose Pompadour).

Trained by Brian and Shane Anderton, three-year-old Cherry Creek was ridden by Jarrod Todd to her second career win from six starts, securing herself seven points on the leaderboard.

Offered by the her breeders, the Anderton family's White Robe Lodge at the 2006 South Island Sale, she was passed in and has been retained Brian and Lorraine Anderton to race.

The Mark Walker trained Floridita, who lined up for her fifth start with two wins and a second placing, was a NZ$90,000 Karaka Premier Sale purchase by Te Akau Racing Stables principal David Ellis from Curraghmore Stud.

Walker also trains the third place-getter, Lady Sakura (Jungle Pocket x Lady Bay). Already a winner of three races, she secures one point for her efforts. She was another NZ$90,000 purchase by Ellis at the 2006 Karaka Premier Sale, this time from Rich Hill Stud.

The next instalment in the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series is the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes at Otago on 22 March.

Click here to view the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year race schedule.

ENDS

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