Fillies Look To Go The Distance on New Year’s Day

The Group 2 $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m), the fifth leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, features at Ellerslie Racecourse on New Year’s Day with 8 points up for grabs for the winning filly.

Last start winner Saavoya (NZ) is looking for a repeat performance New Year's Day. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Top of the NZB Filly of the Year leaderboard is Platinum Witness (California Dane) earning 12 points after winning the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas. Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel) sits in second after receiving 8 points when taking victory in the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic. Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) sits closely behind in third on 7 points after running second in the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas.

A strong field of 16 horses have been attracted to run in the Group 2 race including two ballots hoping to gain a start through scratching’s leading up to New Year’s Day. This is the first time the fillies have stepped up to a middle distance journey in the series so far with the Royal Stakes run over 2000m.  There are four fillies backing up from the Group 2 Eight Carat Stakes that was run on Boxing Day. 

Heading the field is Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) who currently sits in third position on the leaderboard. Runner-up in the second leg of the Series in the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas, trainer Jason Bridgman is backing-up her up after her trip in the Group 2 Eight Carat Stakes on Boxing Day. Matthew Cameron will ride her from barrier 1.

Winner of the latest leg of the Series, the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day was Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel) who has seven starts behind her with two wins and two seconds. The daughter of leading NZ sire Savabeel is trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and she will once again be ridden by Craig Grylls from barrier 12.

The first of two horses in the race for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott is Attention Seeker (NZ) (Fast ‘n’ Famous). This filly received three points in the Series when finishing second in her last start in the Group 3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes earlier in December. Starting from barrier 2 she will have Johnathon Parkes riding.

Yet to have a run in the Filly of the Year Series is Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice). Placed in all six of her starts to date and impressively winning her last two races by 4.5 lengths she is trained by Peter and Dawn Williams. Vavasour will be ridden by Leith Innes from barrier 5.

Runner-up to Platinum Witness in the Listed Armadillo Stakes is Consensus (NZ) (Postponed). A winner in two of her eight starts and two seconds at Listed level, the Leo Molloy trained filly will start from barrier 13.

Orange Peel (Duke of Marmalade) has placed in five of her seven starts with two wins. The second runner for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will race from barrier 8 with apprentice jockey Rory Hutchings riding.

The second runner for Peter and Dawn Williams is Palace Rock (NZ) (Fastnet Rock). In placing third in the Group 3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes she received 1.5 points and shows consistent form as a three-year-old, placing in all her starts this season. The Fastnet Rock filly will start from barrier 6 with leading NZ jockey Danielle Johnson.

Winner in her last start was Stolen Dance (NZ) (Alamosa), trained by David Greene. This filly broke her maiden status earlier this season when making her racing debut. Star Kiwi jockey James McDonald will have his first ride on her from barrier 11.

Backing up from the fourth leg of the Series is Stephen Marsh trained Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman). After placing fifth in the Group 2 feature on Boxing Day she will try her hand again from barrier 10 with rider Michael Coleman.

Charmont (High Chapparal) has made three raceday appearances so far for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. Winning her second trip at 1600m, her last start was the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic where she finished fourth. Opie Bosson will ride her from barrier 15.

Third runner for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s stable is Ezra (NZ) (Iffraaj). She is the only filly in the field with experience in middle-distance races after placing second in the Listed Jesters Pies 3YO Salver (2100m). Lynsey Satherley will continue her association with Ezra jumping from barrier 9.

Fourth runner in the Group 3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes was Outspoken (NZ) (Sufficient). She won her first race three starts ago followed by a second placing at 1600m. Trained by Dick and Chris Bothwell, she will start from barrier 16 with Noel Harris having his first ride on her.

A winner two starts ago is Bohemian Lily (NZ) (O’Reilly), she finished fifth in the third leg of the Series. Lance Noble trains the daughter of champion NZ sire O’Reilly and she will be starting from barrier 4 with Mark Du Plessis riding.

Rounding out the field and completing the runners for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman is De Kensington Oval (NZ) (Red Giant). With only two starts this preparation she recently finished second at Ellerslie to Vavasour. Johnathan Riddell will ride her from barrier 14.

The two ballots hoping to gain entry into the race are Suffire (NZ) (Sufficient) trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and Stars In Align (NZ) (Align) trained by Stephen Marsh.

The winning filly of the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes will earn 8 points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, second place will receive 4 points and third place will receive 2 points.

To view the full field for the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes, click here.

For more information on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series and to view the race schedule, click here.