Brown Eyed Grace Too Tough in Canterbury Belle

The southern fillies had their first crack at the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series title on Saturday, with Brown Eyed Grace capturing the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and the first points in the Series.

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�Brown Eyed Grace fights off Te Akau Rose in the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes�� Photo: Annie Studholme

Trained by Kevin Hughes and Steven Kellow and ridden by Robert Hannam, Brown Eyed Grace (Van Nistelrooy x Lycsis, by Final Card) lead early in the Riccarton straight and fought off Group 2 winner last season, the hard finishing Te Akau Rose (Thorn Park), to win by half a neck.

The win took Brown Eyed Grace's record to an impressive three wins from four starts with valuable black-type added to her accumulated $35,000 in stakes earnings.

The victory was very special for the filly's owners Rodger and Emily Finlay who purchased her from Karaka soon after returning to New Zealand from England.

Brown Eyed Grace, who is named after their daughter, was purchased by Rodger Finlay from Wentwood Grange at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale for $90,000 after doing plenty of homework leading up to the annual NZ yearling showcase.

"We went to the Sale with Kevin looking for a filly that could run a mile plus in the future and I have always liked Van Nistelrooy as a sire," commented Rodger.

"With Kevin's help we selected her (Brown Eyed Grace) on type and we are very excited about her future given the fact she has won three over 1200m with the expectation being she should appreciate further."

Nominated for both the New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas and the New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton in November, and also eligible for the $200,000 Karaka Million 3YO Mile in January, Brown Eyed Grace's future prospects look very promising �based on her success thus far.

Wentwood Grange has nominated Brown Eyed Grace's half-brother by Towkay for the 2010 Karaka Yearling Sale Series set to be held from 1 - 8 February 2010.

Brown Eyed Grace picked up seven points towards the NZB Southern Filly of the Year title, while Te Akau Rose claimed three, and Sandie (Footstepsinthesand) one for finishing third.

Click here for the current Southern Filly of the Year standings.

The next race in the four-race Series is the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m) to be staged at Wingatui on 13 March 2010.

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