Fillies Seeking Southern Series Points

A strong field of 15 fillies will assemble for the Listed $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday, as the Southern Filly of the Year Series reaches the penultimate race of the four-race Series.

Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes winner Madam Victoria.

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Southern Filly of the Year Series is currently led by Madam Victoria (NZ) (High Chaparral) and Orovela (NZ) (Saperavi) on 7 points each, with both horses entered in Saturday’s event.

The field is headed by dual Listed winner Include (NZ) (Gallant Guru) for Brian & Shane Anderton. The winner of five of her eight career starts, the daughter of Gallant Guru finished eighth in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at her last start after over-racing in front. The drop back to 1600m should suit the filly, and she has drawn favourably in barrier 2.

Madam Victoria enters the race having won the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes at her last start, the third win from only four career starts for the daughter of High Chaparral. Trained by Terri Rae, Madam Victoria has had a trial in preparation for Saturday’s race and will once again be ridden by Darryl Bradley from barrier 13.

Terri Rae has a strong hand in the race with Silhouette Noir (Dane Shadow) an able second stringer. The daughter of Dane Shadow has 4 points in the Series having finished third in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes and second at her last start in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes. Like her stablemate, Silhouette Noir has had a barrier trial in preparation for Saturday’s event and will be ridden by Ryan Bishop from barrier 10.

A strong cavalry of six North Island-based fillies will make their way south for the NZB Insurance Stakes headed by Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman’s Brah Spring (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The daughter of Darci Brahma has been consistent this campaign winning two races along with two runner-up placings and running sixth in the strong Listed Sunline Vase behind Rock Diva. Kylie Williams will ride from barrier 14.

Last start winner Porotene Park (NZ) (Thorn Park) has fared better in the draw and is to jump from barrier 4. New Plymouth trainer Robert Patterson travels her south with a consistent formline that includes a third placing behind Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes winner Moozoon.

Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis has Darting (NZ) (Darci Brahma) engaged in the race. The Darci Brahma filly was a sound second last start and has drawn barrier 11 for leading southern rider Jamie Bates.

The colours of Trelawney Stud will be carried in the race by two horses, both trained in the North Island. The first of the pair is the Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue trained Sancerre (NZ) (O’Reilly). The well-bred daughter of O’Reilly is out of Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray and has had two starts for a win and an unlucky second placing at her last start. Lynsey Satherly travels to Riccarton to take the ride from barrier 5.

Carrying the same silks will be Bhiwani (NZ) (Alamosa), this time for Roger James. Another well-bred filly, the daughter of Alamosa is out of stakes winning mare Vedodara and is a half-sister to three stakes winners including the Group 1 winner Sharvastri. She was a winner two starts ago before an unlucky fourth last start and will be ridden by northern jockey Mark Hills from barrier 3.

The northern raiders are completed by Satay (NZ) (Keeper), trained by Mark Fraser-Campin and Chris Campin. The Cambridge galloper has been handed the visitors outside draw for rider David Walsh. The Keeper filly is a winner in the North and was a placegetter in the Listed Championship Stakes Prelude.

Series co-leader Orovela will be looking to take an outright lead in the Series with a good showing on Saturday. The Saperavi filly has 7 points in the Series thanks to her win in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes with another 7 up for grabs for a win on Saturday.

Local runner Florence Hilton (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) was an impressive winner on debut before finishing fifth at her only other raceday appearance. Shane Kennedy & Anna Furlong will saddle the filly from barrier 6.

Consistent filly Miss Alice (NZ) (Pins) has never finished further back than fourth in her career including a decisive victory at her last start. The Pins filly has the benefit of drawing barrier 1 for her trainers John & Karen Parsons.

Brian & Shane Anderton have another filly by Gallant Guru engaged in the race with Gallant Ruby (NZ) (Gallant Guru) looking to add to the 1 point she has earned in the Series through a third placing in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes. She will start from barrier 7.

Maiden fillies Angel Falls (NZ) (Perfectly Ready), trained by Daniel Champion & Kezia Murphy, and Libetto (NZ) (Librettist) for Nikki & Barrie Blatch complete the field of 15.

The winner of the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes will earn 7 points in the Southern Filly of the Year Series with second gaining 3 points and third collecting 1 point.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series Leaderboard is competitive with five horses scoring points in the first two legs. The Series concludes with the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes on Saturday 12 April.