Bramble Rose's Oaks

Saturday's Group 1 Drake International Fashions in The Field New Zealand Oaks (2400m) saw the Mark Todd trained Bramble Rose (Shinko King x Images) finally have her turn in the spotlight.

The consistent filly has been placed numerous times in previous starts, but on Saturday she cleared away from her rivals to win 1 length over race favourite The Jewel (O'Reilly x The Grin), with the Lisa Latta trained Lady Annaliese (Groom Dancer x Titania) a further nose away in third.

Todd, former Olympic Gold Medal Equestrian, purchased Bramble Rose at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2001 Select Fillies Sale for $32,000 and races the filly in partnership with T.V presenter Paul Holmes & Telecom NZ CEO Theresa Gattung.

Following her win Bramble Rose is now second on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year points table with 16 points, while The Jewel remains at the top of the table with 19 points. However both fillies appear unlikely starters in the final two races in the Series, with Todd considering a break for Bramble Rose while The Jewel is said to be not returning to the North for the final 2 races in the Series.

Another top contender for the Filly of the Year Series, Natalie Wood (Yachtie x Westside Story), pulled up sore on Saturday making her an unlikely contender for the next two races, leaving Lafleur (Zabeel x Desert Lily) who was an unlucky fourth on Saturday and Volksini (Volksraad x Indochine) with prime opportunities to take the title.

The current points table for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year now stands as follows

The Jewel 19
Bramble Rose 16
Volksini 10.5
Lafleur 8
Natalie Wood 8
Chestpeak 7
Danceinthesun 6
Gypsy Babe 6
Molly Dot Com 6
Milzeel 4
Penny Gem 4
Lady Annaliese 3.5
Bailey's On Ice 3
Country Class 3
Original Sin 2
Charmaine 1.5
Midnight Call 1.5
Savuka 1.5
Florida 1

The next race in the series is the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Waikato Racing Club on Saturday 8 January.

The 2002-2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series can be followed by viewing www.nzb.co.nz where the points table for each series is regularly updated after each race. For further information please contact Taryn Bax at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or Email taryn@nzb.co.nz .