Listed NZB Insurance Stakes Attracts Big Field

The second leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series - the $45,000 Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) - has attracted a big field of 18 runners to contest the race on 'NZB Insurance Day' at Wingatui on Saturday.

Leading the field in the number one saddle cloth is the Peter & Dawn Williams trained Five Coats (Coats Choice x Electric Avenue) who is coming off a last start win in the Speights Rating 70 over 1200 metres at the course a month ago. A filly that appears to have some ability on the turf, she looks well placed in the field.

The trainers will also have Andromache (Charge Forward x Mythical Play) who ran home well for second behind Milo in the Gore Guineas two starts back.

South Island resident sire Coats Choice has another filly in the race that has shown ability on the track in No Choice (ex Winkum). Trained by John Sargent, the filly has won her last two starts and is coming back to the track after a short break from racing, with her last run in mid-January.

Local trainer Michael Pitman has a big hand in the race with three runners including Peace (Ishiguru x Emerald) who has also won her last two starts, with her last win coming on Friday last week so she comes into the race in hot form. Pitman will also have Miss Maximuss (Castledale x Missprynt) who has run two good placings in her last two starts, and Aluminium Bikerack (Fantastic Light x Clerihew) who has won three of her 14 career starts.

The Jason Bridgman trained Likeapins (Pins x Lisa Kay) is coming into the race off a last start win at Riccarton early last month over 1400 metres. With the Te Akau South Island stable already tasting stakes success this season with King's Rose and Bespoke, Likeapins will be looking to add to the tally.

Final Touch (Kashani x My Lydia) hit the line well at her last start for trainers John & Karen Parsons in a Rating 75 event, running an nose second to Halo Express, and should be beaming on Saturday after having three runs back from a spell.

She's A Cougar (One Cool Cat x Smooch) has been in good form this campaign for trainer Andrew Scott, winning her first two starts this preparation, then running a good place in the Gore Guineas, and putting in a strong finish in the Southland Guineas at her last start. She is another that looks well placed in the race.

Paul Harris will also have two runners in the race with The Harrier (Align x Specified), who comes into the race after a short break from the track, and Premier Lady (Eltawaasul x Blowfish Baby) who will be looking to recapture the form that saw her win in January.

Steve Anderton will be represented by The Solitaire (O'Reilly x The Dazzler) who ran a nose second fresh up at her last start, and the beautifully bred The Glitzy One who is by Flying Spur from the multiple Group 1 winning mare The Jewel.

Trainer Jan Hay has Hayley Rose (Floral Dynamite x Dance Parade) coming into the race after running an luckless seventh to Five Coats in the Speights Rating 70 at her last start.

Other runners in the race include the Murray Carter trained Elite Street (Seasoned Star x Star Elite) and the Brian & Shane Anderton trained Whata Delight (Faltaat x Rowena's Delight) who both ran good seconds in their last starts, plus the Mark Harris trained Sashenka (No Excuse Needed x Russian Embassy) and Soldier Of Love (Lord Of Warriors x Miss Nicolight).

The winner of the Listed $45,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) will receive 7 points in the NZB Southern Filly of the Year Series, with second taking 3 points and third 1 point. Princess Emmy currently leads the Series on 7 points with her win in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes.

New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance is the title sponsor of the Wingatui race day on Saturday. The second leg of the NZB Southern Filly of the Year Series is set to jump at 4.42pm. To view the race schedule and current points table in the Series, click here.