Puttanesca Climbs NZB Filly Series Leaderboard

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Puttanesca Climbs NZB Filly Series Leaderboard

Three-year-old filly Puttanesca gained valuable points in New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year Series with a stylish inside run to take out the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.

Trained by Wayne and Vanessa Hillis, Puttanesca (Bertolini x Tesoro by Prized) was expertly ridden from a tricky draw by reigning champion apprentice James McDonald to emerge the victor in the sixth race of the ten-race Series, by a long neck.

The pacemaker, Andrew Scott's Walk in the Park (Thorn Park x Sprtiza by Grosvenor), held on well for second place while Cassini (Reset x Mathematical by Honor Grades) finished third.

The eight points for her win add to Puttanesca's 1.5 points from her Group 3 Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes third at Awapuni last month, to put her in fourth place on the Filly of the Year Series Leaderboard with 9.5 points. Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas winner Daffodil (No Excuse Needed) still holds a narrow lead with 15 points, one point ahead of Alagant Satin (Al Akbar) with a further point to Juice (Bertolini).

Owned and bred by Scott Eagleton's Seaton Park, Puttanesca is the first foal from the winner of three, Tesoro, whose dam, Waikiki, is a multiple stakes winner including the Group 2 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes twice. This is also the family of Hong Kong's Champion Sprinter, Sacred Kingdom.

Puttanesca becomes the 11th stakes winner for her sire Bertolini, who stood at Rich Hill Stud until 2006 with his last NZ-born yearlings being offered at Karaka 2009. Her success also adds a significant update to the pedigree of her One Cool Cat half-sister that's to be offered by Seaton Park at Lot 879 in the Karaka Select Sale.

With just four more chances to get NZB Filly of the Year Series points, the next instalment will be Wellington Racing Club's Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) on Saturday 24 January at Trentham.

ENDS

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