Fix Takes NZB Filly of the Year Series Lead

Tough Iffraaj filly Fix (NZ) claimed her second consecutive leg in New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series at Ellerslie yesterday - and the Series lead - when winning the $100,000 Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m).

Trained by Ken & Bev Kelso, Fix (Iffraaj x Destined) easily accounted for her rivals in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Boxing Day but had to dig deep yesterday to hold off the fast-finishing Kidwelly (Dylan Thomas) who raced her to within half-a-head at the post.

Fix wins the G2 NZB Royal Stakes at Ellerslie

The race was Fix’s first over 2000 metres and she produced a tough performance under jockey Vinnie Colgan, having to work early from her wide draw to take the lead and racing determinedly in the straight.

Her second Group 2 victory inside a week, Fix now leads New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series with 19.5 points, 4.5 points clear of her nearest rival Rollout the Carpet (Holy Roman Emperor) who is on 15 points.

Connections will now decide Fix’s next target with the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic – the seventh race of the 10 race Series – an option for the crack three-year-old.

The Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby trained Kidwelly (ex Maakel) raced well to finish a narrow second earning four points – her first of the Series – with consistent filly Soriano (Savabeel x Call Me Lily) finishing third, earning two points and taking her total to 12 in the Series.

Fix was bred by Haunui Farm Ltd & Frantic Bloodstock Ltd and was purchased by her owner Gary Harding from Haunui Farm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2011 Karaka Premier Sale for $220,000. She has now won five of her nine starts for over $180,000 in stakes.

Iffraaj now sits second in New Zealand’s 3YO Sires’ Premiership with 10 winners – just one behind champion sire O’Reilly – and is also a clear second in NZ’s 3YO Sires’ Premiership by progeny earnings with over $300,000.

A half-sister to Fix by Zabeel will be offered by Haunui Farm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2013 Karaka Premier Sale at Lot 103.

To view the current points table for the Filly of the Year Series, click here. The next leg of the Series – the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes – will be held at Trentham on Saturday 26 January.