Grace Park Wins NZB Southern Filly Series

The New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday saw Grace Park (Danske x Stella Stargazer) keep her place at the top of the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series leader-board to be crowned New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year.

Not handling the heavy track, Grace Park finished in eighth position with her win in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1600m) and second in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m) contributing to her securing her unassailable lead.

It was Kevin Gray's Group 1 Levin Classic winner Porotene Gem (Pins x Rubyfoo) who added to the Warstep Stakes to her credit and the third to trainer Kevin Gray's mantle. The tenacious filly dug deep to win by a short head to Shining Light (Star Way x Nuccina) who challenged her the entire length of the straight.

Her owners Kemp and Ann Broughton purchased Porotene Gem at the 2004 National Weanling Sale for NZ$5,000 from Delph Common.

Bred by the Mapperley Stud Partnership, Grace Park is out of the Volksraad mare Stella Stargazer, who is a three quarter sister to Zola. Group 1 Sires' Produce Stakes winner Zola (Volksraad x Swift Swallow) sold to 'Paul Makin & Starcraft' for NZ$410,000 at the Bloomsbury Stud NZ Dispersal Sale yesterday. She has been served by the leading first crop sire at the recent National Weanling Sale, Waikato Stud's Savabeel (Zabeel x Savannah Success). His top priced youngster fetched NZ$57,500 to Masterton based bloodstock agent, Bruce Perry.

Grace Park is by the regally bred sire Danske (Danehill x Our Tristalight) who now stands at Emerald Lodge Stud in Christchurch.

Click here to view the final result table for the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series.