Natalie Wood A Potential Starlet In The Making After Easy Eight Carat Win

27 December 2002

Natalie Wood (Yachtie x Westside Story) looked a very talented filly in the making as she cruised to a seemingly effortless win in the Group 2 $100,000 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

The Don Sellwood trained filly took the lead in the final stages of the race and never looked back, extending her lead to two lengths at the finish line. The favourite Penny Gem (Pentire x Gemscay) finished in second place with Bramble Rose (Shinko King x Images) the third place-getter.

Natalie Wood is yet another successful graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's Festival Sale. She was purchased at the 2001 Festival Select Sale by the Robt Dawe Agency for $16,500 from the draft of Mapperley Stud. She is owned by Messrs BG Black and WC McDonald.

The rapidly improving 3YO filly will now be targeted at the Group 1 $300,000 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on January 18. Prior to the Oaks she may line up in the Group 2 $120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on January 2.

The win has placed Natalie Wood in third position on the leaders' board in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, which is still headed by The Jewel.

After the sixth leg of the 2002-2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series the points table stands as follows:

The Jewel 12
Volksini 10.5
Natalie Wood 8
Chestpeak 7
Danceinthesun 6
Gypsy Babe 6
Molly Dot Com 6
Penny Gem 4
Bailey's On Ice 3
Country Class 3
Bramble Rose 2
Original Sin 2
Charmaine 1.5
Midnight Call 1.5
Savuka 1.5
Florida 1

The next race in the series is the Group 2 $120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes at Auckland Racing Club on Thursday 2 January.

The 2002-2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series can be followed by viewing www.nzb.co.nz where the points table is updated after each race.

For more information on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series please contact Taryn Bax at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or email [email protected].