NZB Southern Filly Series Resumes with NZB Airfreight Stakes

29 February 2024

Viva Vienna (NZ) 

Almost six months after the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) served as a spring curtain-raiser, the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series is back for an exciting three-race autumn sequence that will determine the winner of the prestigious title.

Wingatui is set to host the second leg, the $80,000 Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) on Saturday afternoon. Like all of the other three races in the series, the NZB Airfreight Stakes is worth 7 points to the winner, with 4 points for second and 2 for third.

September’s Canterbury Belle Stakes was won by Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard), with Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) second and Warning Signal (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) third. Of those, Warning Signal is the only one returning for Saturday’s second leg and attempting to add to her tally of 2 points.

For the remainder of the full field of 14 plus two emergencies, the NZB Airfreight Stakes provides a chance to get on the board and stake their claim for the NZB Southern Filly of the Year trophy and an insurance policy from NZB Insurance to the value of $50,000 plus GST.

A dozen of the fillies in this talented line-up have already been winners. That includes black-type performers Warning Signal, Lady Sass (NZ) (Staphanos), Drakaina (NZ) (Ace High), Epee Beel (Epaulette) and Sense Of Timing (NZ) (Time Test).

The NZB Airfreight Stakes will be run as Race 8 at Wingatui on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 4.22pm.