Classic Clare Calls The Shots To Win New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes

The first race of the 2003-04 Southern Filly of the Year Series got away to a great start on Saturday with the running of the New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m, Listed) at Riccarton Park in Christchurch.

With a large field of 14 fillies lining up in the race it was the Shane Kennedy trained Classic Clare (Gold Brose x Funny Features) who claimed the win by a long head over Tony and Lyn Prendergast trained Lady Libertine (Tuscany Flyer x Liberty Rose) with Danamac (Danasinga x Lady Canteloupe) trained by Michael Pitman a further 1 � � length away in third.

Classic Clare is owned by Kotuku Investments, managed by Brian Vieceli of Christchurch on behalf of the Vieceli family. She was purchased at the 2002 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Fillies Sale by Kotuku Investments for $20,000 and sold through the draft of Wentwood Grange of Cambridge.

Classic Clare's win on Saturday has given her 7 points on the Southern Filly of the Year points table making her the early leader in the Series. Following Saturday's race the points table for the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year now stands as follows;

Classic Clare 7
Lady Libertine 3
Danamac 1

The next race in the Series is the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes at the Otago Racing Club on Sunday 28th March 2004.

The 2003-2004 New Zealand Bloodstock Southern 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.