Pinmedown (NZ) Moves Up Filly of the Year Leaderboard

Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) was a second victory during the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series for Pinmedown (NZ) (Pins), who has moved into third on the table with 14 points.

The Matamata filly collected 8 points for a stunning come-from-behind win in the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and she returned to the same venue on Saturday and repeated the result to earn another 6 points.

Ridden by Jake Bayliss, Pinmedown moved across from her wide gate to sit beside the rail around the first turn. That was where she stayed, and when a gap opened in front of her in the straight she burst through.

Six fillies lined up across the Ellerslie track in an exciting finish, but Pinmedown was too strong and won by three-quarters of a length from Clementina (NZ) (Savabeel) and Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel).

Bought for just $28,000 at the 2017 Select Sale, Pinmedown has now earned $123,750 in prize-money.

“I think that she’s just a very, very good horse,” co-trainer Pam Gerard said. “I’ve said that all along.”

“She is tough and gives her all, all of the time. Mike and Paul (Moroney) bought her with the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in mind, and that is what we’ve aimed at all along. To get two stakes wins along the way is a bonus.”

Pinmedown sits 4 points behind the equal Filly of the Year Series leaders, Queen of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel) and Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax), who finished first and third in Wednesday’s $100,000 Group 2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.

Just one leg of the Series remains – the $400,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 16. That race is worth 12 points to the winner, setting up an exciting finale.