Fillies on the Trail for the Crown

With spring in the air and the racing action heating up, the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is set to kick off with the running of the Group 3 $70,000 Hawke’s Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Group 1 winner O’Marilyn (NZ) returns as a three-year-old in the Group 3 Hawkes Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes.

The first leg of the 10-race Series is run over 1200m with the distances increasing throughout the Series and culminating in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks over 2400m.

This year’s Series has a new look with the Listed Soliloquy Stakes run in September replaced by the Group 3 Sunline Vase run in March. This change means the Gold Trail Stakes is the only opportunity for fillies to earn points before the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on 15 November.

Saturday’s Gold Trail Stakes has drawn a field of 13 runners on a Group 1 day of racing at the Hawke’s Bay Racing Club.

At the top of the book is Group 1 winning two-year-old O’Marilyn (NZ) (O’Reilly) for trainer Stephen McKee. The daughter of O’Reilly was a consistent two-year-old, placing in the Group 1 Diamond Stakes and the $1m Karaka Million along with her Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes victory. Sam Spratt, who has recently returned to riding, continues her association with the filly from barrier 5 having been aboard her in five of her six starts.

Another stakes winning two-year-old is the next horse in the book in Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner Lady Royale (NZ) (Captain Rio). The Richard Collet trained filly has won half of her four starts and is suited to the left-handed way of going. Leading Central Districts rider Johnathon Parkes will have his first ride on the filly drawn in barrier 2.

Impressive debut winner Cherry Vain (Nicconi) has had three starts in her career for trainer Nigel Tiley, performing admirably in all of them. Following her first start win as a two-year-old the daughter of Nicconi ran fifth in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes. She has had one run as a three-year-old, a close second placing at Ruakaka and will begin from barrier 11 on Saturday.

The most experience horse in the field is Way In (NZ) (Thewayyouare) having had nine starts, eight as a two-year-old. A winner of two races, the Shaune Ritchie trained filly was consistent as a juvenile finishing fourth in the $1m Karaka Million, and has drawn barrier 8.

Last start winner Anuka (NZ) (Captain Rio) travels down to Hastings from Graham Richardson Matamata stable. The daughter of Captain Rio won by a five-length margin at Te Aroha last start as she led all of the way. She has drawn barrier 5 for Saturday’s race.

Resuming after a two-year-old campaign that yielded a win from five starts is Flaming (NZ) (Bachelor Duke). Hailing from the formidable Jason Bridgman stable, the daughter of Bachelor Duke has the services of the country’s leading rider from last season in Matthew Cameron and has drawn the outside barrier of 13.

Also returning to racing following a winning two-year-old season is She’s Flawless (NZ) (Fully Fledged) for trainer Roger James. A winner on debut, the daughter of Fully Fledged has drawn barrier 4 for rider Michael Coleman.

Trying to maintain her unbeaten record will be the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained Bonniegirl (NZ) (Darci Brahma). Victorious at her only start at Taupo last month, the daughter of Darci Brahma will be ridden by top jockey Mark du Plessis from barrier 3.

Margaret Ann (NZ) (Iffraaj) was a last start winner at Te Rapa for trainer John Morell having been runner-up at her only other start as a two-year-old. Danielle Johnson continues her association with the daughter of Iffraaj who will jump from barrier 9.

Roger James has a second runner in the race through two-year-old winner Readywhenyouare (NZ) (Thewayyouare). The daughter of Thewayyouare was ridden to victory by Vinnie Colgan last season and he reunites with the filly this Saturday, beginning from barrier 12.

Divissima (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) created a big impression with an impressive debut victory in January before having an unfavourable run in the $1m Karaka Million. The Mike Moroney and Chad Ormsby trained filly was seen doing her best work late resuming at Taupo. She will start from barrier 10 with Rory Hutchings aboard on Saturday.

Locally trained filly Xcuses Xcuses (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) is still a maiden for John Bary but has placed in half of her career starts and was a close-up fourth at Hastings three weeks’ ago. The No Excuse Needed filly will be ridden by Shannon Doyle and has the advantage of barrier 1 on Saturday.

The unknown quantity in the race is first starter Pella (Snitzel) for trainer Warren Bolton. The daughter of Snitzel has no exposed trial form either but has drawn well in barrier 6.

The winner of the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes will earn themselves 6 points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, second placing will receive 3 points and third placing getting 1.5 points. 

To view the full field for the Group 3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders Stakes, click here.

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