Asturia (NZ) Announces Arrival in NZB Filly of the Year Series

Saturday’s $175,000 Group Two Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie was the first appearance by Asturia (NZ) (Almanzor) in the 2026-27 NZB Filly of the Year Series, and the Te Akau Racing up-and-comer stamped herself as a major contender for the title.

The Soliloquy was the second win of a three-start career for Asturia, who was bought by Sir David Ellis for $135,000 from the Book 1 draft of Landsdowne Park at Karaka 2025. She has already turned that into $176,125 in stakes.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Asturia was a winner on debut at Ellerslie on September 5, taking out the first race on a card that also featured the opening race of the NZB Filly of the Year Series, the Group Three Sunline Vase (1200m), later that afternoon.

Asturia then ventured to Hawke’s Bay to contest the Group Two Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), and she lost no admirers in overcoming a rocky run to flash home for a close second.

The Soliloquy was another stern test, with an all-star line-up that included the top five names on the NZB Filly of the Year Series points table after the first two legs. But it was Asturia who really rose to the occasion and stamped herself as one of the brightest talents of her generation.

After settling well back in 10th place among a quality field of 15 fillies, jockey Michael McNab angled Asturia to the outside at the top of the straight and let her rip.

Last-start Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner Liguria (NZ) (Snitzel) had pounced on the leaders at the 300-metre mark and looked the winner, but then Asturia bounded down the outside and swept past her in the final 50 metres to win by a length.

Bergerson is now keen to take Asturia to Christchurch for the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 7 – a race the Te Akau stable has previously won with Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), The Perfect Pink (NZ) (Savabeel), Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), King’s Rose (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper).

“That was so good to see, and a pretty impressive 1000 Guineas trial, I would think,” Bergerson said.

“She’s a really exciting filly and I can’t thank the team enough at home. Michael (McNab) and Opie (Bosson) have done a lot of work with her, and she keeps going from strength to strength.

“I really liked how she raced today. She settled, got on the back of the right horse, tracked into it well, and it was great to see her quicken like that.

“We were quietly confident, because she went a super race at Hastings without a lot of luck. We all thought, if she could stay out of trouble, the 1400 metres on a decent track was what she would excel at.

“It was a very patient ride from Michael, and to put away a field like that, you couldn’t be more impressed.

“If we can get her to Christchurch in one piece and in similar form, then the Riccarton track and the 1600 metres will suit her right down to the ground, so we will have our fingers crossed.”

Asturia’s Soliloquy Stakes heroics earned her 8 points in the NZB Filly of the Year Series, which put her straight into the lead. Liguria picked up 4 points with her second placing, which lifts her total to 7 and puts her in second place.

Hawea (Hellbent) and Pounce (NZ) (Almanzor) share third place with 6 points each, followed by Saturday’s third placegetter Fiamma (NZ) (Pinatubo) with 2. Dashing Dixie (NZ) (Alabama Express) and Dream Roca (NZ) (El Roca) have 1.5 points apiece.

But everything can change in the fourth leg of the series, the 1000 Guineas. Not only does the prestigious classic carry a stake of $600,000, it is also worth 12 NZB Filly of the Year Series points to the winner, with 7 for second and 3.5 for third.

Vendor	Landsdowne Park Ltd
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau)
Breeding	Almanzor – Kay’s Legacy
Sale	Lot 43, Karaka 2025 Book 1, $135,000
Breeder	Monovale Holdings Ltd
Owner	Te Akau Legacy Of Love Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM)