Classy Fillies Line Up For New Zealand Oaks
15 January 2003
With 6 of the fillies already featuring on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year points table, the 12 points gained by the winner of this race has historically played a large part in determining which filly ultimately secures the prestigious title.
Top chances in the race include the Hec & Steve Anderton trained Southerner The Jewel (O'Reilly x The Grin) who took out the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas last November. The Jewel is right on form clocking up 4 wins and a second in her last 5 starts. She is the current leader in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.
Right on the tail of The Jewel are other hot contenders Volksini (Volksraad x Indochine), Lafleur (Zabeel x Desert Lily) & Natalie Wood (Yachtie x Westside Story). Volksini is currently second behind The Jewel on the Filly of the Year points table.
While she will need luck from her wide draw, the smart Jim Gibbs trained filly Lafleur, is likely to be a tough challenger on Saturday after her flying finish to win the Gr.2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes two weeks ago. Also a Gr.2 winner is the Don Sellwood trained Natalie Wood, who showed oodles of talent when winning the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic late last month.
Two fillies not to be overlooked are the Mark Todd trained Bramble Rose (Shinko King x Images) and the Mike Moroney & Andrew Scott trained Milzeel (Zabeel x Miltak). Both fillies currently have 4 points on the table and a win on Saturday would give both fillies enough points to take the lead in the Series.
The field for Saturday's New Zealand Oaks is as follows:
1)...11211...The Jewel.. 4)
2)...86581...Lafleur.. (19)
3)...X1411...Natalie Wood.. (2)
4)...14133...Bramble Rose.. (20)
5)...61202...Milzeel.. (11)
6)...41992...Jetset Lass.. (12)
7)...13469...Volksini.. (10)
8)...51100...All In Tune.. (9)
9)...36561...Lonestar Lady.. (13)
10)...2611....Fei Lung.. (18)
11)...212.....Lady Annaliese.. (22)
12)...X1622...Ahjay Dubbleu.. (6)
13)...31176...Kissinkin.. (3)
14)...37011...Uluru.. (1)
15)...2113....Wisborough Green.. (17)
16)...16256...Esmay (AUS).. (7)
17)...67913...Born To Fly.. (21)
18)...41357...Telsa.. (5)
19)...01347...Te Horo Girl.. (16)
20)...52832...Te Awa Rose.. (15)
21)...46430...Jude's Last.. (8)
The Drake International Fashions In The Field New Zealand Oaks marks the eighth leg of the 2002-03 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, in which the current points stand as follows.
The Jewel...........12
Volksini............10.5
Lafleur..............8
Natalie Wood.........8
Chestpeak............7
Danceinthesun........6
Gypsy Babe...........6
Molly Dot Com........6
Bramble Rose.........4
Milzeel..............4
Penny Gem............4
Bailey's On Ice......3
Country Class........3
Original Sin.........2
Charmaine............1.5
Midnight Call........1.5
Savuka...............1.5
Florida..............1
The points available for Saturday's race are
1st � 12 points
2nd � 7 points
3rd � 3.5 points
For more information on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series please contact Taryn Bax at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 email: taryn@nzb.co.nz , or view the New Zealand Bloodstock website, where the series is updated after each race.