Misstrum Secures First NZB Filly Series Points

Smart filly Misstrum has gone into second place in New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series with victory in the second race of the Series, the $50,000 Listed Macleans Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

It was Misstrum’s second success at stakes level with the three-year-old winning the last race of her two-year-old campaign, the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes in May, also at Ellerslie.

Saturday’s race saw Misstrum (Stratum x Malagra Miss) held up 500 metres from home and jockey Leith Innes elected to keep her on the rail, a move that proved the winning of the race, as she powered home to win by a tight head margin.

Racing in the Haunui Farm colours for trainer Roger James, Misstrum earned 4 Series points with Saturday’s victory.

“I was impressed with her performance,” said Roger James. “She isn’t a great worker and she had no trials coming into the race but I had put a good amount of work into her coming into Saturday.

“1400 metres fresh up was always going to suit her. She is a filly with a good amount of class and ability and she just proved too good for them on Saturday. 

“She is going to enjoy the step up in trip and we will look to give her another race before heading to the New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas.”

Second placed Ray's Girl (Savabeel x Natural Rhythm) made a late charge in the final 100 metres to claim a close second place for trainer Rudy Liefting who has previously won the Series with Justa Tad. Ray’s Girl earned 2 Series points with Saturday’s performance. 

The Vanessa & Wayne Hillis trained Perfect Start (Perfectly Ready x Artemesia) ran a good third to take 1 Series point. Having won her debut coming into the race, it was a good performance from the filly at just her second start, beating a number of more seasoned rivals.

The Group 3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes winner Pure Elegance (Redoute’s Choice) leads New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series with 6 points following her win last weekend, and Misstrum has gone straight to second place with 4 points, with Rollout the Carpet (Holy Roman Emperor) third with 3 points.

Bred by Dr P Storey, Misstrum was offered by Haunui Farm at the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale. Raced by Mrs M Duncan, Cathy Franich and Haunui Bloodstock, the filly has now won two of her four starts for over $60,000 in stakes.

The next leg of the 10 race Filly of the Year Series – the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (1600m) – will be held at Riccarton on 17 November.

To view the current points table and race schedule for the Filly of the Year Series, click here.