Lowland Stakes an Eye for the Oaks

The ninth leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, the $70,000 Group 3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) will provide a great opportunity for the fillies to put themselves into leading contention for the New Zealand Oaks later this month.

As has come to be expected from the Filly of the Year Series, Saturday's race has attracted a good field and is headlined by the exceptional filly King's Rose (Redoute's Choice x Nureyev's Girl).

Trained by Jason Bridgman, the daughter of last season's Champion Australian Sire Redoute's Choice has been dominant in the coveted Series, contesting four legs for four wins including the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas in November last year.

She has already earned an unassailable lead in the series with 34 points, 22.5 points clear of her nearest rival Smoulder who has 11.5 points.

A last start winner, the Kevin Gray trained Kiwi Lady (Ruby's Jester x Luscious Lady) is a filly that looks to be going places. Her win on the weekend over 1200 metres has taken her record to seven starts for four wins and two placings and she looks to have plenty to offer on the track. Saturday's contest presents a big step up in distance going to the 2100 metres but her class is not to be discounted.

Lisa Latta, the winning trainer of the Karaka Million, has a big hand in the race with three runners set to take to the course. Her charges include Zennista (Zenno Rob Roy x Zarnitsa) who has been only lightly raced since her 1000 Guineas tilt, and despite not running into the placings at her last start, it was an encouraging effort.

Latta will also be saddling Miss Lincoln (Savabeel x Plaza Doree) who will be making her debut in the Series, and L'Amour (Towkay x Penthouse Blue) who ran third to Dating (O'Reilly) two starts back in the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham.

Trainer John Wheeler will also be saddling multiple entries with Double Image (Stravinsky x A Goodlookin Broad) who won over 1600 metres at Taranaki at her last start, and I Gotta Feeling (His Royal Highness x Cerprized Habit) who has won two races and placed in a further three from seven starts.

King's Rose's trainer Jason Bridgman will also see Dolce Bella (Postponed x Boulevardofdreams) contest the race along with the Paul Duncan trained Midnight Oil (Keeper x Gilded Light) and the John Bary trained Surge (Keeninsky x Consumer).

Last season the winner of the New Zealand Oaks, Keep the Peace, and the fourth placed Miss Sharapova both came through the Lowland Stakes, running second and third respectively.

The winner of the Group 3 Lowland Stakes will be awarded six points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, with second taking three points and third taking one-and-a-half points. The race is scheduled for 4.09pm and will be run at the Hastings track in the Hawke's Bay.

Entries for the National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale close this Friday at 5pm. For entry details and forms, please call New Zealand Bloodstock on 09 298 0055 or email [email protected].