King's Rose Extends Her Lead

The $100,000 Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m) has seen King's Rose take her third win in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series in a tough performance at Ellerslie yesterday.

Jockey James McDonald had King's Rose (Redoute's Choice x Nureyev's Girl) settled beautifully in transit, mid-field one off the rail. Coming into the straight she took the lead at the 250 metres and showed a lot of determination to hold off some strong challenges to win by a neck at the post.

Trained by Jason Bridgman, the daughter of Redoute's Choice has extended her lead in the NZB Filly of the Year Series with the win taking her to 26 points, 14.5 points clear of second placed Smoulder who has earned 11.5 points.

After the race trainer Jason Bridgman outlined his plans for one of New Zealand's best fillies, confirming that King's Rose will likely go to the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic before heading to the NZ Oaks. A start in the coveted AJC Oaks may also be on the cards for the filly.

Jason Bridgman will be looking to take another NZB Filly of the Year Series for Te Akau Stable who have had great success in the Series with previous winners including Insouciant (07/08), Princess Coup (06/07) and Shikoba (05/06).

Running second was the brave Lance Noble trained Annie Higgins (O'Reilly x Diva Belle) who put in a strong bid in the race. She went with King's Rose at the 800 metres and came into the race beautifully in the straight and looked to be a serious chance, but she could not manage to nose out the winner at the line.

Annie Higgins also put in a big performance on boxing day running third in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic over 1600 metres behind Smoulder and looks to be a filly who has a lot to offer on the track. She holds nominations for the NZ Derby and NZ Oaks.

Third in the race was the Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs trained Queen of Pop (Pins x Dame Mapperley). She raced very well and was only half-a-length from the winner at the post and is also heading for the NZ Oaks and NZ Derby.

A half-brother to King's Rose by Red Ransom has been nominated for the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale at Lot 466. A half-brother to Queen of Pop by Golan will also be offered in the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale at Lot 255.�

To view the leaders' table for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, click here.

The New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale Series will begin with the Premier Yearling Sale on 31 January & 1 February. The Karaka Select Sale will run from 2 - 4 February with the Karaka Festival Sale on 6 & 7 February.