Lafleur Too Good In New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes

Yesterday's $120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m) saw the Jim Gibbs trained Lafleur (Zabeel x Desert Lily) fly past the post to take Gr.2 honours at the Auckland Racing Club.

Ridden by Leith Innes, Lafleur, who started from the widest barrier of 13, swooped around the field on the home straight to take the win a head from the Moroney & Scott trained Milzeel (Zabeel x Miltak) with the Mark Todd trained Bramble Rose (Shinko King x Images) a further long neck away in third.

Lafleur, who is owned and bred by Peter & Philip Vela, is now competitively placed on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year points table, being third equal on 8 points with recent Eight Carat Classic winner Natalie Wood. The regally bred Lafleur will now be set for the ING New Zealand Oaks later this month.

The current points table for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year now stands as follows

The Jewel 12
Volksini 10.5
Lafleur 8
Natalie Wood 8
Chestpeak 7
Danceinthesun 6
Gypsy Babe 6
Molly Dot Com 6
Bramble Rose 4
Milzeel 4
Penny Gem 4
Bailey's On Ice 3
Country Class 3
Original Sin 2
Charmaine 1.5
Midnight Call 1.5
Savuka 1.5
Florida 1

The next race in the series is the Gr.1 ING New Zealand Oaks at Wellington Racing Club on Saturday 18 January.

The 2002-2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series can be followed by viewing www.nzb.co.nz where the points table for each series is regularly updated after each race. For further information please contact Taryn Bax at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or Email taryn@nzb.co.nz .