Fabulous Field Of Fillies For Breeders' Stakes

Saturday's $70,000 Group 2 Bank of New Zealand Breeders' Stakes has attracted a capacity field of classy 2YO fillies, with many top fillies enticed not just by the black type status of the race but also the $25,000 Mercedes Jackpot Bonus for enrolled horses.

Mark Walker, with three runners, has a strong hand in the race and looks to have an excellent chance of adding yet another 2YO race and more Mercedes Bonus dollars to his ever growing tally. Snipight (Snippets x Spectacular Light) looks to be the stable's leading hope after a last start win and a form-line that features two second placings. Phoenicia (Volksraad x Meralini) and Catscan (Tale of the Cat x Transluscent) should not be discounted, with Phoenicia a dual winner and Catscan a last start place getter. Both Snipight and Phoenicia are eligible for the Mercedes Jackpot Bonus.

Other trainers on their home track with strong claims to both the race and the Mercedes Jackpot Bonus are the Moroney/Scott team and Paul O'Sullivan. Mike Moroney and Andrew Scott will saddle up Katana (Volksraad x Tristean), a very impressive last start winner who should measure up against the best fillies, and Butterface (Prince Ferdinand x Bay Caf�), a filly whose form-line boasts a win and a second from three race day outings. The best of Paul O'Sullivan's charges is the talented Mohawk (Volksraad x My Chameleon) who won on debut and worked nicely during the week, while his other runner Tracktalk (Armidale x Mountain Jewel) has shown plenty of promise during her three starts.

The classy Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge trained filly Purrfection (Tale of the Cat x Nothing Less) will no doubt be one of the race day favourites after her strong fourth in the $500,000 Mercedes Classique at Te Rapa two weeks ago. Purrfection will be out to add another $25,000 Mercedes Jackpot Bonus to her winnings, having already claimed one when winning the Mercedes Super Bonus Juvenile at Trentham in December.

The McKee's Pay My Bail (Justice Prevails x Ebony Jane) will have lost no supporters after her unlucky eighth in the Mercedes Classique and with a kinder barrier draw of two in the Breeders' Stakes the race is not beyond her.

Other strong contenders include the Bonus eligible Psychedelic (Gold Brose x Glitter), a multiple place getter and Dragon Maiden (Mughtanim x Hellriegel), who is coming in fresh after a win and a second placing last preparation.

Yearlings purchased at the recent National Yearling Sales Series must be enrolled in the Mercedes Super Bonus Series by no later than Thursday March 6 for their chance to share in the prizepool of well over $1 million next season.

For more details and enrollment forms please contact Guy Mulcaster at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or email guy@nzb.co.nz.