Dating Wins the G.3 NZB Desert Gold Stakes

The Graeme & Debbie Rogerson trained filly Dating took the spoils in the $70,000 Group 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) yesterday, and jumped to third spot in the NZB Filly of the Year Series.

Dating (O'Reilly x Mandate) had a brilliant two-year-old season winning on three occasions, including the Listed Ryder Stakes. She came back to the track well this season with a good third to Rememba Howe in the Hawke's Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes but ran out of the placings in the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas.

Coming into Saturday's race with a winning trial on January 6, Dating travelled beautifully in transit and was far too strong in the roomy Trentham straight, winning the Group 3 fillies feature by two lengths. Connections would have been pleased to see her back to her best and in winning form as she holds nominations for the Group 1 NZ Oaks and NZ Derby in March.

Trainer Graeme Rogerson was pleased with the fillies performance.  

"Her win today was very impressive, especially going straight up to a mile after a break from the track, she did it brilliantly. I think that she is right up there with the best fillies in New Zealand.

"She had absolutely no luck in the 1000 Guineas which was disappointing so to see her back to her best is very pleasing.

"All going to plan she will be heading to the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Waikato at her next start."

Trainer Lisa Latta filled the minor placings in the Group 3 with Angel Del Dinero (My Halo x Habalook) running into second place with L'Amour (Towkay x Penthouse Blue) in third.

Dating is by Waikato Stud's resident stallion O'Reilly whose progeny have earned over $62 million worldwide. He is the sire of 46 stakes winners to date and has an impressive runners to winners ratio of over 52%.

Dating was bred and is raced by Waikato Stud; her full sister was bought by David Ellis in the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $75,000.

The win sees Dating pick up six points, moving to third place in the NZB Filly of the Year Series with 9.5 points. The second placed Angel Del Dinero has received three points and L'Amour 1.5 points. King's Rose remains a runaway leader in the Series with 26 points for the Te Akau Stable.

The next leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is the $100,000 Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic on February 12. To view the points table for the series, click here. 

The National Yearling Sales Series kicks off on Monday with the Premier Sale starting at 11am. The Premier Sale will be broadcasted live on Sky Sport Three from 10.30am. For more information please contact New Zealand Bloodstock or visit www.nzb.co.nz.