Shikoba Takes Eight Carat Classic

The Mark Walker trained, Shikoba (Chief Bearhart x Summary), justified favouritism when taking out the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) for three-year-old fillies on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. The victory by Shikoba sees the Chief Bearhart filly leap into second place in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, trailing New Zealand One Thousand Guineas winner, Seachange (Cape Cross x Just Cruising).

Shikoba was well ridden by Leith Innes, racing worse than midfield before angling into the clear at the top of the straight and finishing too stoutly for her rivals. Runner-up, Pulcinella (Stravinsky x Shall We Dance) turned in a brave performance to record her first points of the Series. Trained by Don Sellwood, Pulcinella was posted wide throughout and was beaten a neck, while the Roger James trained, Gaze (Cape Cross x Eye Full), finished two lengths away in third.

Shikoba is raced by her breeders, Micaela Murray and her parents, Suzanne and Stuart, and was offered at New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Yearling Sale in 2004.

Pulcinella is raced by Hong Kong owner-breeders Martin and Priscilla Liao, who will offer a Cape Cross half sister at next month's New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, through the draft of Wentwood Grange.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series leaderboard boasts three new entries after Monday's race with Shikoba attaining eight points and holding second place behind Seachange. Pulcuinella slots in at seventh equal spot on four points while Gaze has two points.

The next installment in the Series will be run at Ellerslie on New Years Day with the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m).