Focus Turns to Southern Filly Series

New Zealand Bloodstock's Southern Filly of the Year Series is set to resume on Sunday at Wingatui with the running of the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m). A field of fourteen three-year-olds will contest the NZ$50,000 purse, three of which are last-start winners.

With current Series leader, Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock One-Thousand Guineas winner Dorabella (Postponed x Caserio) in the spelling paddock, and second-place holder Keeper On (Keeper x Flying Finish) recently resuming work the door is wide open for Sunday's runners to make an impact.

Our Shakira (Cullen x Sonet) currently has one point on the leaderboard after placing third in the first race of the Series, the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) in September. In her final hit-out yesterday morning, the Cullen filly pleased her West Melton trainers Lyn and Tony Prendergast.

Westbury Stud sire Cullen (by Danehill) is also represented by Jodie's Magic (Cullen x Argyll Magic). Trained by Sally McKay and Ben Gordon at Ascot Park, she recently broke maiden ranks at Cromwell at her last start.

Bertolini (by Danzig) also has two runners in the race with the promising Kevin Hughes trained Baci (Bertolini x Calm Conqueror) and Michael Pitman's Miss Alini (Bertolini x Cidermite).

Top honours in the Series last year went to the Shane Marr-trained filly Ombre Rose (O'Reilly x Lady Chanele). Their sole chance in the race, One Love (Danasinga x Jackie O') has had two wins from six starts.

Off the back of a last start win at Invercargill, Preciousone (My Halo x Mumbles) will start from barrier 10 for Wingatui based trainer Steve Anderton. Jarrod Todd retains the ride. Terry Moseley takes the ride on the Anderton's other runner, Grace Park (Danske x Stella Stargazer).

The Argentinean bred Berkley Stud sire, My Halo (by Southern Halo), will also be represented by another last start winner in Racing Spirit (My Halo x Bunnahabhain).

The field is completed with Querella (Haafiz x Quedar), Tantalise (Postponed x Amora), Strike it Lucky (Deputy Governor x The Essence), Sunday Stroll (Summer Suspicion x Mi Bu Bu), Marmalaide Jude (Stark South x Bohola), and Maruia Springs (Thunder Gulch x Extra Heat).