Contessa Vanessa (NZ) Keeps Filly of the Year Hopes Alive

The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series dream remains alive for the connections of Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars), who won the $70,000 Group 3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

It was her second win in the 10-race Series and lifted her score to 19.5 points – now just 10.5 behind the leader Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy), who will take no further part in the Series. A win in the $400,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham later this month is worth 12 points, which would boost Contessa Vanessa to a winning score of 31.5.

Saturday’s Sunline Vase win was different to Contessa Vanessa’s previous victory in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), where she flashed home from well back in the field with a dazzling last 150 metres.

This time Contessa Vanessa was handily placed just behind the leaders, then made the lead early in the run home and held on gamely to beat the fast-finishing Gold Spice (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) and Marcellina (NZ) (Savabeel).

“We got into a good spot and she travelled nicely,” Johnson said. “She was too tough in the finish.”

Trained by Team Rogerson for owners B W Amies, D W Lake, G A Rogerson MNZM, L H M Salvidge and D Wenham, Contessa Vanessa has won five of her 17 starts and $182,975 in stakes – three and a half times her $50,000 purchase price at the 2016 Select Sale.

Gold Spice earned her first 3 points of the Series, while Marcellina picked up 1.5 to move to 3.5.

The Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks on March 17 is the 10th and final leg of the Series.