Full Field as Fillies Vie for NZB’s Ethereal Stakes

New Zealand Bloodstock’s sponsorship continues this weekend at Caulfield with the A$150,000 Group 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 2000m, following on from the NZB Spring WFA Championship that concluded last weekend.

Saturday's race is named after Group 1 Caulfield & Melbourne Cup Champion racemare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm).

The Ethereal Stakes is named in honour of New Zealand’s Champion racemare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) who won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on this day in 2001 before winning the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in the same year.

Previously run as a Listed race, the Ethereal Stakes has been upgraded to Group 3 for the first time this year. The race has been a successful lead-up race to the Group 1 VRC Oaks with Set Square (Reset) winning the Ethereal Stakes and VRC Oaks double last season.

A capacity field of 16 fillies have assembled – all holding a nomination for the Group 1 VRC Oaks that will be run on November 5 at Flemington.

At the top of the racebook is The Grey Flash (Not a Single Doubt), a stakes-winning juvenile. The only win of her career came at black-type level when winning the Group 3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes in autumn for trainer Robbie Laing. The daughter of Not a Single Doubt will commence from barrier 1 for jockey Chris Parnham.

Last start stakes-winner Ambience (Street Cry) is from the powerhouse Godolphin stable of trainer John O’Shea. The daughter of Street Cry has had four starts, winning her last two races including the Listed Dulcify Handicap at Randwick. Stable rider James McDonald once again will ride, commencing from barrier 2.

The John Thompson trained Honesta (Monaco Consul) carries the highest rating in Saturday’s field. The winner of two races, both as a three-year-old, the daughter of Monaco Consul was runner-up two weeks ago in the Group 1 Flight Stakes. Starting from barrier 7, Craig Williams takes his first ride on board the grey filly.

Winning juvenile Ashlee Marie (Face Value) had a successful start to her career winning her first two starts before competing in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes. With three starts under her belt as a three-year-old, she will jump from barrier 12 and has Steven King aboard for trainer Richard Laming.

Having her first tilt in a stakes race is Bannatyne (Rothesay) from the leading stable of Chris Waller. The daughter of Rothesay, out of a Zabeel mare, she won her first two races as a three-year-old, both over 1400m, and ran fourth last start when stepping up to 1600m. Tommy Berry has been engaged, starting from barrier 14.

Breaking maiden status last start was Alittle Loose (Onemorenomore), winning over 1600m at just her second start for trainer Michael Kent. The daughter of Onemorenomore will start from barrier 6 for jockey Mark Zahra.

Kiwi-bred Born Magic (NZ) (Thewayyouare), a winner three starts ago, will have her seventh start in Saturday’s Ethereal Stakes. Trained by Terry and Karina O’Sullivan, the daughter of Thewayyouare will start from the outside barrier of 17 for jockey Blake Shinn.

Another kiwi-bred filly is Zarabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), for the Flemington-based training partnership of Leon and Troy Corstens. The daughter of leading New Zealand sire Savabeel finished third at her last start behind Derby contender Iron Boss. Stepping up to 2000m for the first time, regular rider Stephen Baster will ride from barrier 10.

Looking to secure her first win is the Caulfield trained Dawnie Perfect (Big Brown), having placed in three of her six starts. From the Group 1 Queensland Oaks winning mare Zagalia (Zabeel), the Clarry Conners trained filly will begin from barrier 8 for jockey Jim Cassidy.

The in-form David Hayes and Tom Dabernig are represented by Dawn Of Hope (Fastnet Rock), a last start winner over 1506m. Placing third at her only other start, the daughter of boom sire Fastnet Rock will begin from barrier 4 for rider Damian Lane.

The half-sister to Group 1 winner Warhorse (General Nediym), Dulverton (Commands) is already the winner of one race from her three starts, with her victory coming over 1600m. Commencing from barrier 5, Dulverton will be ridden by Glen Boss for trainer Robert Smerdon.

Looking for her first victory on Saturday is the Andrew Noblet trained Le Grand Cru (Encosta de Lago). The daughter of Encosta de Lago has had three starts in her three-year-old season, placing twice. Jockey Ben Melham takes the ride, starting from barrier 9.

Debuting in her three-year-old season, Street Spun (Hard Spun) has had four outings, placing in her last two starts over 1612m and 1850m. Trained by David Brideoake, she is the only filly in Saturday’s field with experience beyond 1600m. Jumping from barrier 11, Luke Currie will be aboard.

Representing Michael Moroney’s Flemington stable is Wichita Woman, a daughter of High Chaparral. The three-year-old filly has had just two starts where she placed on both occasions, over 1400m and 1600m. Last start rider Craig Newitt takes the mount, drawn barrier 13.

From Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes' stable is Jezzabba (Fastnet Rock) who has been placed at two of her three runs, including a third placing behind Derby hopeful Ragnaar. Her last start saw her place behind race rival Alittle Loose. She will start from barrier 15 for jockey Dwayne Dunn.

Rounding out the field is Meru (Duke of Marmalade), another filly looking to get her first win. She has had just three starts since debuting in the current season. Apprentice rider Patrick Moloney will ride her from barrier 16 for trainer Pat Carey.

Awaiting a start if there is a scratching is the only emergency Princess Aria (Oratorio) for trainer Marc Conners. If any of the fillies scratch before Saturday, she will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla from barrier 3.

To view the full field for the Group 3 NZB Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield, click here.