Extra Incentive At Ellerslie

The Lion Red Juvenile (1200m) at Ellerslie on Thursday is the next race in the lucrative Mercedes Super Bonus Series, with a $10,000 bonus on offer to all enrolled runners.

Although just four of the ten horse field are eligible for the Mercedes Bonus, each rates as an excellent chance in the race. The best of the bonus runners is the Trevor and Stephen McKee trained filly Golden Rose (Gold Brose x Enrichment) who ran second to the smart colt Alastro at her last start and third in her previous start.

The colts Waitoki Dream (Pentire x Calm Lover) and Ecstatic (Sandtrap x Straight Lady) will also no doubt be close at the finish line after running second and third to the very impressive Volksraad filly Katana at Avondale on Anniversary Day. The remaining bonus runner is the well bred debutant Captain Butler (Soviet Star x Fiddle de De), who showed potential with a nice trial win at the end of January.

The majority of the non-bonus horses will be making their first race day appearance in the Lion Red Juvenile, with the exception of Minza Diamond (Strike Diamonds x Ginsyn) and Snow Fields (Groom Dancer x Oakfields) who both ran fourth at their last start.

Rosette (Mellifont x Chapel Rose), Sarah Vee (End Sweep x Captivating) and Wailing Countess (Entrepreneur x Wailing) are all last start trial winners, while the remaining horse Lion (Generous x Blue Satin) was unplaced in a trial won by the best 2YO in New Zealand, King's Chapel.

All graduates of the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series are eligible to be enrolled in the Mercedes Super Bonus Series for the 2003/04 season. The Mercedes Super Bonus Series gives owners and trainers of 2YOs the chance to share in $1.4 million throughout the racing season.

For more information on the Mercedes Super Bonus Series please contact Guy Mulcaster or Nikki Reed at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or email guy@nzb.co.nz or nikki@nzb.co.nz.