Eulogy Field Full of Promise

The fourth instalment of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, the Group 3 Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes (1600m), is set to be contested by eleven three-year-old fillies at Awapuni on Saturday.

After a thrilling Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock One-Thousand Guineas saw Dorabella (Postponed x Caserio) shoot to the top of the table, Saturday's race gives three of the starters a chance to get points on the Filly of the Year board. Up for grabs is a $75,000 purse plus six points for first, three for second and one-point-five points for third.

Recently�downing last season's Champion Two-Year-Old, Jokers Wild, in the Group 1 Levin Classic, Porotene Gem (Pins x Rubyfoo) looks a good chance for a repeat victory. In similar fashion to last season's Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock New Zealand Oaks winner Legs - who is also by Pins - Porotene Gem is trained by Kevin Gray at Waverley.

Taking a step up in distance, and class, the lightly tried but talented Irlanda (O'Reilly x Cenphic) will be ridden by Bruce Herd for the Lance Noble stable. From just three starts she has produced two wins, including one at Awapuni, as well as a last start second placing.

Pukekohe based Russell Cameron's First Drinks (Kilimanjaro x Last Drinks) and the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained Keep the Passion (Keeper x Impassion) line up after being second and third respectively in their last start to recent Group 2 Avondale Guineas winner, Veloce Bella (Volksraad x Wave to Lottie). First Drinks will be ridden by Troy Harris while Chad Ormsby and Keep the Passion will look to continue their winning partnership.

Hoping to get a third Postponed filly on the points table with the promising Post Romance (Postponed x Pretty Wicked) is trainer Leanne Bertling and the Stoney Bridge team. A winner on debut just three starts ago, Post Romance is reported to have been working well since her last start second which resulted in her being just beaten on a wet track after taking a bold pace-making role.

Guy Lowry's great form saw him have a stellar day in Hastings last month, winning five of the day's ten races. He brings two of those winners, Port Merion (O'Reilly x Volkschine) and Taatyana (Faltaat x Clear Advantage) to Awapuni for the Eulogy.

Fresh out of maiden ranks after a first up win at Te Aroha is the Roger James trained Shira (Kilimanjaro x Conistar). Last season's Apprentice Premiership winner Kelly Myers takes the ride.

Sitting on a Hill (City on a Hill x Ivy Darling), Tunza Times (Hunza Court x Three Times) and Fuji Walk (Fuji Kiseki x Garden Walk) complete the field.

Click here for the current Filly of the Year Series points table or contact Haylie Martin for more information: haylie@nzb.co.nz