Bird Crowned Southern Filly of the Year

Bird's victory in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) on Saturday earned her the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year, and started a phenomenal day for the Chittick family's Waikato Stud who also bred and race New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Daffodil.

Bird after being crowned NZB Southern Filly of the Year for 2008/09       photo: Annie Studholme

Riccarton hosted the final leg of the four-race Series which saw three fillies in contention for the crown including Series leader Metropolitan (Elusive City - Our Diva, by Oregon), race favourite Scarlet Vanhara (Van Nistelrooy - Fiddle De De, by Palace Music), and Bird (Danasinga - Quiescent, by Gleam Machine).

Bird needed to win the race worth seven points, and that she did in convincing fashion, relishing the step up in distance to score by one length from a fast finishing Mystique (Montjeu - Seamist, by Beaufort Sea). Hayden Tinsley rode the filly immaculately from her barrier 13, improving the filly throughout the running to sit parked on race leader Explosive Dancer (San Luis - Explosive, by Exploding Prospect) who quickly stopped in the roomy Riccarton straight.

'Sitting duck' was Bird as she assumed the leaders' position with 400m to travel but Tinsley patiently rated her perfectly, keeping the David Howarth trained filly's advantage all the way down to the line to take her total points to ten. As the NZB Southern Filly of the Year Bird follows a long list of outstanding performers who raced on successfully, and now make their presence felt in the breeding barn. These include the likes of this season's American Grade 2 Santa Ana stakes winner Belmont Cat, Ombre Rose, Joan's Best, Tartan Tights, Seamist, Canterbury Belle and Powley.

For a full list of past winners click here.

Click here for the 2008/09 Southern Filly points table - Final Result.

Waikato Stud's dream day had just started as just hours later their newly crowned NZB New Zealand Filly of the Year Daffodil (No Excuse Needed) won the Group 1 AJC Oaks at Randwick, while Vision and Power (Carnegie), who also carries the WS-brand, won the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap.

Waikato Stud, New Zealand's champion breeders from 2003/04 to 2006/07, will offer 62 weanlings and broodmares at Karaka's National Weanling, Broodmare, and Mixed Bloodstock Sale on May 4, 5, and 6. Click here to view their offering.

At Riccarton on the very same day New Zealand Bloodstock was prominent in the feature Group 3 Christchurch Casino Easter Cup (1600m). Riccarton-based Terri Rae, who is currently saddling a winner in every 4.4 horses she takes to the track, trained the quinella in the race with Hold It Harvey (King Cugat - Daly Charm, by Best Western) and Don't Say Clang (Clang - Caramel Twist, Mr. Jazz).

Rae, who is the country's leading strike rate trainer this season (5 or more winners trained), had offered both horses through NZB's Ready to Run Sale, and on this occasion it was Hold It Harvey who blasted the field to win by three lengths from Don't Say Clang to provide their owner Matt Shepherd with a special highlight on a festive Autumn day.