Fourth Leg of NZB’s Filly Series Featuring on Boxing Day

The fourth leg of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series is set to take place on Friday with the running of the Group 2 $100,000 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.

Ten three-year-old fillies will have the chance to earn points in the Series at Auckland Racing Club’s Boxing Day meeting.

Leading the field is current runner-up in the Filly of the Year Series Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The Darci Brahma filly has won three of her nine starts, most recently placing second in the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas, the second leg of the Series. Jockey Matthew Cameron will ride from barrier 1 for trainer Jason Bridgman.

Second in the field is Letmego (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) trained by Wayne Hillis. This filly is the winner of her previous two starts with both wins taking place at Ellerslie. Apprentice rider Anna Jones will be starting her from barrier 3.

A filly who has placed no further back than second in her three-start career is Tavy (NZ) (Tavistock). The Roger James trained horse placed second in her debut earlier this season and has won her previous two starts, both at Ellerslie. She will start from barrier 8 with Vinnie Colgan riding.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has three contenders in the race, headed by unbeaten filly Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj). The daughter of Iffraaj has yet to run a race without winning in two starts and will jump from barrier 6 for leading NZ jockey Danielle Johnson. Liten Prinsessa (NZ) (Bernardini) won her first two starts and placed fourth three weeks ago at Ellerslie and has drawn barrier 9 with Mark Du Plessis on board. Last but not least is Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), a winner of her first two starts as a three-year-old who has Michael Coleman riding her from barrier 10.

A winner in her last start was Charmont (High Chaparral) trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. The daughter of Champion Sire High Chaparral will start from barrier 5 with jockey Opie Bosson.

Placing in all of her starts as a three-year-old is Don’t Look Back (NZ) (Postponed), who broke her maiden status at her last start. Starting from barrier 4, the Postponed filly has apprentice jockey Rory Hutchings riding for trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson.

Red Robyn (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel) complete a trio of runners for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. Both with six starts under their belts, Red Robyn won her last start by 2.5 lengths at Ellerslie and will start from barrier 2 with Jonathan Riddell riding. Saavoya broke her maiden status by four lengths at the start of her campaign and placed fifth in her last start over 1600m. Craig Grylls will start Saavoya from barrier 7.

The winner of the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic will earn 8 points towards the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, second place will receive 4 points and third place will receive 2 points.

Currently leading the Filly of the Year Series is Platinum Witness (California Dane) on 12 points, Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) on 7 points and Choice (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and O’Marilyn (O’Reilly) are third equal with 6 points each.

To view the full field for the Group 2 $100,000 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic, click here.