Gr.1 Smokefree NZ Oaks Preview

The Wellington Racing Carnival kicks off this Saturday with the Group 1 Smokefree New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The country's premier fillies staying race is the third to last event in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.

Currently leading the series is National Weanling and Broodmare Sale graduate, Justa Tad (Istidaad x Infinity). The filly has looked impressive throughout the year despite being beaten at her last start, in the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes, by Australian raider Basra (Desert King x Dupion). The Gai Waterhouse-trained�filly will also start in the Oaks.

Both fillies have drawn wide in the event, 18 and 19 respectively, but bookmakers do not believe this is a major concern installing the duo equal favourites at $5.50.

Finishing an impressive fifth in the Guineas was�likely contender, Arlingtonboulevard (Spinning World x Golden Bridge). The filly went on to win well at Matamata before Christmas and showed another solid performance to finish fourth behind Justa Tad and Basra in the Royal Stakes.

El Bulli (Zabeel x Grace and Power) is another interesting contender who won impressively at Woodville-Paihiatua Racing Club earlier this month. The filly came up against�Justa Tad in the New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas in November where she finished eighth.

As a Group 1 event the Oaks offers 12 points for first, 7 points for second and 3.5 points third.

The current points in the Fillies' Series are:

The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series points table is updated after each race on New Zealand Bloodstock's website at http://www.nzb.co.nz/. For further information about the Series please contact Julian Phillips at New Zealand Bloodstock, julianp@nzb.co.nz.