Filly Series in Full Swing with NZB 1000 Guineas

Filly Series in Full Swing with NZB 1000 Guineas

One of the jewels in the crown of the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (1600m), is set to be run on Saturday at Riccarton.

Marking the third race in the Series, a full field of 16 fillies will race for the $325,000 purse plus the 12 points for the winner, seven for the runner up and 3.5 for the third placegetter. The field is comprised of fillies from as far north as Matamata and as far south as Wingatui.

The winning filly on Saturday will not only immediately become a highly valuable breeding proposition, but will also be in a strong position to be crowned the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year. In the last five years, Insouciant (Keeper), Just a Tad (Istidaad), and Taatletail (Faltaat) have all gone on to win the coveted Series after being victorious in the 1000 Guineas.

The Series is currently lead by 1000 Guineas contender Juice (Bertolini) who sits on six points, while other fillies in the race with points on the board include Awesome Planet (4 points), Daffodil (3 points), Glamorous Girl (2 points) and Shock (1 point).

Juice is trained by John Wheeler and won the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September. In her last start, the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1500m), she finished sixth behind fellow Guineas contender, Skirmish (Le Bec Fin).

Finishing just half-a-length behind Juice in the Gold Trial Stakes was the talented Daffodil (No Excuse Needed) who has since won for her Palmerston North-based trainer Kevin Gray.

From the Rogerson Stables is the Listed Soliloquy Lodge Stakes (1400m) winner Awesome Planet (Giant's Causeway) who has drawn wide with barrier 14.

The Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes (1200m) winning juvenile Te Akau Coup (Thorn Park) will be looking to recapture her form with Noel Harris in the saddle for Mark Walker.

Northern raiders Andrew Scott and Bellalini (Bertolini) enter the race off the back of a courageous second to the New Zealand 2000 Guineas bound colt Moveovr (Postponed) in the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes (1400m). She will be ridden by David Walsh.

Also making the trip south is the Paul Mirabelli and Roger James-trained Glamorous Girl (Thorn Park). Not far off breaking through for her first win, she finished second in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes and also in her last start over 1600 metres. She will be joined by her lightly-tried stablemate La Etoile (Thorn Park) who comes off the back of her first win, a stunning five-length victory at Te Aroha over 1400 metres. Andrew Calder retains the ride.

Lisa Latta's Platinum Zana (Noverre) finished second to Metropolitan in the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton two starts back and has drawn barrier four with Jason Waddell taking the reins.

Also with stakes form at Riccarton is the Brian and Shane Anderton-trained Inferno (Yamanin Vital) who finished third in her last start, the Listed Canterbury Stakes.

Paul Harris's Rangiora Stable has two hopes with Full Pitch (Stay Tuned) and Polly Rocket (Danroad). Full Pitch finished third in the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) while Polly Rocket has weighed in in four of her seven starts to date including breaking maiden ranks in her last start at Riccarton on 26 October.

Addicted (No Excuse Needed) is another last start winner with the Guy Lowry trained filly winning the WRC Chinese Dragon 3YO Handicap (1400m) ahead of Yeshi Shinko and Platinum Zana.

Rounding off the field and with one win each on the board is Robert Priscott's Elusive Order (Elusive City), Jim Collett's Sub Prime (Van Nistelrooy) and Bryce Revell's Ekstreme (Ekraar).

The fourth race in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni on 13 December. Click here for more information on the Series.

ENDS

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