Southern Fillies Set to Challenge Chaparella
9 April 2010
The New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday will see Chaparella trying to stave off challenges for the lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series.
With two of the four-race Series already run, the lead is tied between Brown Eyed Grace (Van Nistelrooy x Lycsis by Final Card) and Chaparella (High Chaparral x Peak Time by Straight Strike). But only Chaparella, the last start winner of the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m), will contest Saturday's $45,000 race. Trained by Stephen Prince she's proved she's a class filly, winning the Listed Gore Guineas before an unlucky run in the Listed Dunedin Guineas.
While Chaparella looks the one to beat, the Richard Collet runner The Beekeeper (Keeper x The Minder by Personal Escort) will be looking to turn the tables on their last start result. She won the Listed Southland Guineas and hasn't been out of the money in six starts with the smart filly finishing second in the Insurance Stakes. A plus for The Beekeeper - she's won over a mile while Chaparella hasn't been tested over the distance yet.
Looking to add to her one series point after finishing third in the Insurance Stakes is the Tarsha & Michael Stokes-trained Howbaddouneedit (Howbaddouwantit x Vaguely by Jetball) while Cat Woman (Scardee Cat x Kara Kum by Desert Sun) provides some good North Island form in the race. The John Sargent-trained filly beat Obsession (third), who lines up in the Group 1 NZB Breeders' Stakes tomorrow, at her last start.
Looking to continue her smart juvenile form is the Terry Kennedy runner Lesley Brook (No Excuse Needed x Polka by Groom Dancer). With impressive course and distance stats the winner of five races is the most experienced filly in the field and bounced back to winning form last start in a rating 70.
Mercury Mistress (No Excuse Needed x Flytaine by Centaine) for Lance Noble is another Northern raider who has shown plenty of abilty including running fifth to Adaline and Katie Lee in the Group 2 NZB Royal Stakes before breaking through for her maiden win at Matamata.
Mark Walker's consistent filly Croix Du Sud (Howbaddouwantit x Fairdale Lass by Centaine) will be looking to notch up some black type and will be aided by having top jockey James McDonald on board.