Southern Fillies’ Last Chance
The New Zealand Bloodstock
Southern Filly of the Year Series concludes this weekend
with the running of the Listed $50,000 New Zealand
Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton.
The
fillies are stepping up to 2000m following last weekend’s
Listed NZB Insurance Stakes run over 1600m, won by Series
leader Madam Victoria (NZ) (High Chaparral), with 13 fillies
to go to post on Saturday.
Madam Victoria has one hand on
the Southern Filly of the Year title, sitting on 14 points
thanks to last weekend’s victory which followed her win in
the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes last month. The Terri Rae
trained filly looks well-placed in Saturday’s event,
drawing barrier 7.
Two horses are in a position to tie
with Madam Victoria in the Series if she was to be unplaced
on Saturday. Her stablemate Silhouette Noir (Dane Shadow) is
on 7 points and a victory on Saturday would earn a further 7
points taking her tally to 14. The Dane Shadow filly has
been the runner-up to Madam Victoria in her two previous
starts and will start from barrier 10.
The other filly
with a chance to draw equal with Madam Victoria on 14 points
is Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes winner Orovela (NZ)
(Saperavi), the first race in the Series. The Daniel
Champion and Kezia Murphy trained filly has drawn barrier 9
for the event.
Northern visitor Porotene Park (NZ) (Thorn
Park) finished third in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes last
weekend, collecting 1 point in the Series. Trained by Robert
Patterson at New Plymouth, the Thorn Park filly was a winner
at Wanganui before last weekend’s third placing and has
drawn barrier 3 for rider Robert Hannam.
Talented filly
Include (NZ) (Gallant Guru) has won two Listed events in the
south this season and competed against the best fillies in
New Zealand in the Group 1 NZ Oaks. The Gallant Guru filly
has drawn barrier 12 for trainers Brian Shane
Anderton.
Last start winner Osmunda (NZ) (O’Reilly)
travels down from Jason Bridgman’s Matamata base following
a strong victory over 1600m at Otaki. The O’Reilly filly
has to overcome the outside barrier draw of 13 for Jillian
Morris.
The John Karen Parsons trained filly Miss Alice
(NZ) (Pins) was an impressive winner two starts ago before
running a creditable sixth in the Listed NZB Insurance
Stakes last weekend. The Pins filly will start from barrier
6.
Owner/breeder Kevin Hickman has enjoyed a stellar run
lately thanks largely to the deeds of Silent Achiever.
Florence Hilton (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) will carry Hickman’s
colours on Saturday for trainers Shane Kennedy Anna
Furlong. The debut winner has only had three starts and
jumps from barrier 8.
Otaki trainer Karen Zimmerman has
Slice of Class (NZ) (Guillotine) engaged, a winner two
starts ago on her home track. The filly by Guillotine was
seen running on late over 1600m at her last start giving the
impression the 2000m will suit and has drawn barrier
2.
Carrying the same colours as Include is fellow Brian
Shane Anderton trained filly Awow (NZ) (No Excuse Needed).
The No Excuse Needed filly will jump from barrier 4, looking
to win the second race of her career.
Cambridge visitor
Satay (NZ) (Keeper) was third in the Listed Championship
Stakes Prelude over 2100m at Ellerslie earlier this season.
The Keeper filly will start from barrier 5 for trainers Mark
Fraser-Campin and brother Chris Campin.
Two maiden runners
round out the field with the Nikki Barrie Batch trained
Sureasyouwereborn (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) and the Daniel
Champion Kezia Murphy trained Angel Falls (NZ) (Perfectly
Ready).
The winner of the Listed NZB Warstep Stakes
collects 7 points in the NZB Southern Filly of the Year
Series with second earning 3 points and third receiving 1
point.
Ends