16 Fillies to Contest NZB Airfreight Stakes

Racing at Otago on Saturday will see the second leg of New Zealand Bloodstock's Southern Filly of the Year Series, the $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1400m).

With the first leg - the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) - held in mid-September last year, the John Sargent trained Kasumi (Shinko King) currently leads the four-race Series with seven points but will not be lining up in Saturday's race.

Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas winner and current Filly of the Year Series leader Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock) holds second place in the Southern Filly of the Year Series with three points. She will also be absent from the field as she targets the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks next weekend.

Currently in third place is the Jason Bridgman trained Classy Fashion (Fusaichi Pegasus) who earned one point with her third placing in the first leg of the Series. A daughter of the Hong Kong Derby and Kewney Stakes winning mare Elegant Fashion, she comes into the race after running a good fifth against the boys in the Listed Metalon Guineas in early February and has drawn well in barrier two with Jamie Bullard to ride.

The Golan filly Cora Lynn (ex Coraletta) is the highest rated horse in the field and comes into the race having had just three career starts, two of which she has won. Trained by Mandy & Matt Brown, she ran a close second at her last start at Riccarton in late February and has drawn barrier 10 with jockey Terry Moseley to ride.

Trainers John & Karen Parsons will have two fillies in the race with Semper Plus (Howbaddouwantit x Grandiose) and Arietta (Falkirk x Prussian Doll).

Semper Plus won the Guineas Prelude three starts ago beating subsequent Gore and Metalon Guineas winner Bangalore Bullet (Hussonet) but had no luck when unplaced in her last start in the Metalon Guineas. Arietta comes into the race after a last start win at Cromwell last Saturday and looks smart having won two of her four starts. The pair have drawn barriers 12 and 13 respectively.

Lining up on Saturday after a bold second placing in the Listed Southland Guineas where she produced a big finish, the Brian & Shane Anderton trained Ortem Fire (Gallant Guru x Emerald Fire) has drawn the ace barrier. The trainers will also saddle Norah (Gallant Guru x Anna) who comes into the race off the back of an unplaced run in the Listed Metalon Guineas. She has drawn well in barrier five.

A filly that has been competitive in her last three starts, Orutan (Pins x Naturo) finished fifth in the Listed Gore Guineas, second in the Listed Metalon Guineas, and fourth in the Listed Southland Guineas. She looks well placed in Saturday's race for trainer John Sargent and has drawn well in three with David Walsh to ride.

Trainer Michael Pitman will have two runners in the race with Fragrant (One Cool Cat x Pastel), who has won two of her fourteen starts, and Darci Coup (Darci Brahma x Nimble Feet) who contested the first leg of New Zealand Bloodstock's Southern Filly of the Year Series where she was unplaced. The stable mates have drawn alongside each other in barriers seven and six respectively.

With winning form is the Bruce Jenkins trained Yazoom (Yamanin Vital x Nzoom) and La Girl (Spartacus x Lydgina) from Steve Anderton's yard who both come into the race off last start victories.

Yazoom broke her maiden at her last start at Wingatui in early February over 1600 metres, and La Girl won her debut last start at Gore in a 1200 metre maiden. La Girl has drawn well for Saturday's race in barrier four with Yazoom out wide in 14.

The Steven Woodsford trained Replace (Castledale x Edradour) will be making her black-type debut and broke her maiden three starts ago beating Semper Plus who is also lining up in Saturday's race.

Sucre (Ishiguru x Carrie) comes into the race after falling in the Listed Southland Guineas resulting from a check at the 450 metre mark but was racing in consistent form leading up to the race for trainer Sean Bellew winning over the mile at Southland two starts back.

Drawn wide in 16, Never Die (Scaredee Cat x O'Marnie) has led the field in her last few starts for trainers Shane Kennedy & Anna Furlong and didn't have the best of luck in the Listed Metalon Guineas when checked in the straight.

The Peter Rudkin trained One Hipp Chick (Danroad x Danae) and Jazz After Dark (Coats Choice x Mississippi Gold) from Sharon Robertson's yard complete the field and both will be making their black-type debuts.

The winner of the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes will receive seven points in the Southern Filly of the Year Series with second taking three points and third one point. Click here to view the current points table.

Saturday's Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1400m) will be held at Wingatui racecourse at 3.21pm. To view the field, click here.