Extra Bonus Attracts 13 Fillies in G3 Eulogy Stakes

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series moves into the third leg of the 10-race Series with the running of the Group 3 $70,000 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

Bella Court (NZ) will contest the Group 3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

For the second year, the Wellfield Lodge Triple Crown will be up for grabs for any filly who can win all three legs which consists of the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes, the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes and the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.

A field of 13 fillies has been attracted for this Saturday’s race headed by Bella Court (NZ) (Per Incanto). The Lisa Latta trained filly was a winning juvenile and concluded her two-year-old season with an encouraging fifth placing in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes. She will jump from barrier 6.

A winner three starts ago over 1200m was Missy Moo (NZ) (Per Incanto) with this her first tilt at a black-type race. A runner-up last start, the daughter of Per Incanto will be ridden by Kelly Myers from the widest barrier of 13 for trainers Sue Thompson and Mick Brown.

Well-bred filly Cool Tart (NZ) (Zabeel) broke her maiden status last start with a three-quarters-of-a-length triumph over 1600m. From Roger James’ stable, the daughter of Zabeel will commence from barrier 3 for Jonathan Riddell.

Trained by Michelle Northcott, Dualis (NZ) (Duelled) was an impressive last start winner, breaking her maiden status with a four-length victory. The daughter of Duelled will start from barrier 2 for apprentice jockey Leah Hemi.

Debut winner Alarmist (NZ) (Shocking) will have her fifth start on Saturday for trainers Dick and Chris Bothwell. With three starts under her belt as a three-year-old, including the Group 3 Wellington Stakes, Alarmist will start from barrier 9 with Rosie Myers aboard.

Sired by New Zealand’s leading sire last season Savabeel, Coldplay (NZ) has had just three starts since debuting two months ago for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. A winner over 1400m two starts ago, Lisa Allpress takes the ride and has drawn barrier 8.

Last start winner Fame Seeker (NZ) (Showcasing) shed her maiden tag with an impressive three-length victory over 1600m three weeks ago. From Lance Noble’s Matamata stable, the daughter of Showcasing has drawn the coveted barrier 1 with last start rider Cameron Lammas engaged.

Another travelling down from Matamata is Lauberhorn (NZ) (Swiss Ace) who has been a consistent performer this season, placing no further back than fifth amongst her six starts for trainer Graham Richardson. Winning her last start at Avondale 10 days ago, rider Miranda Dravitzki has been paired with the daughter of Swiss Ace, starting from barrier 11.

Local trainer Tony Bambry has Maneo Invictus (NZ) (Volksraad) engaged in the Group 3 feature on her home track. The daughter of Volksraad won her first race just six days ago at Waipukurau and will contest Saturday’s race from barrier 7.

From Graeme and Debbie Rogerson’s stable, Night Fever (NZ) (Duelled) has placed in both her starts as a three-year-old including winning her last start over 1400m at Ellerslie. Drawn barrier 12, Robert Hannam takes his first ride aboard the daughter of Duelled.

The lightly tried Saintly Ripa (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) will contest her first stakes race on Saturday at just her third start. Winning on debut in October, the daughter of Rip Van Winkle finished third at her only other start for trainer Nigel Auret. Apprentice rider Shaun McKay will ride the filly from barrier 4.

Winning juvenile Honor That (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will be looking for her first points in the Series. Making the trip from Riccarton Park for trainer Peter Rudkin, the daughter of Darci Brahma has been runner-up on three occasions among her 11 starts. Johnathon Parkes has been engaged to ride, commencing from barrier 5.

Rounding out the field is Benoit (Domesday) for Wanganui based trainer Paul Belsham. The daughter of Domesday has had one win from six starts and has the services of rider Chris Dell in the Group 3 feature, beginning from barrier 10.

The winner of the Group 3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes will earn 6 points towards the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, second place will earn 3 points and third place will receive 1.5 points.

The current leader of the Series is Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas winner Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma) with 12 points.

Points will be awarded in each leg of the Wellfield Lodge Triple Crown and, at the culmination of the Series, the connections of the leading filly will receive a service to Alamosa and the second placed filly will receive a service to Road to Rock, both Wellfield Lodge stallions. The winner of Saturday’s race will receive 3 points, second collecting 2 points and third earning 1 point for the Triple Crown.

To view the full field for the Group 3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes, click here.