Local Excels in First Leg of NZB Southern Filly Series

A clash of the islands was won by the locals in the first leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year series, the $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Home-town hopes rested with Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins), a Select Sale graduate who had scored an impressive come-from-behind win in her previous appearance. She stepped up to stakes level on Saturday and faced a much sterner test, clashing with highly rated northern raiders such as Wekaforce (NZ) (Showcasing).

Emily Margaret’s rider Jasmine Fawcett changed tactics this time around, hunting her mount forward to take the early lead. She was joined almost immediately by Wekaforce, and the pair raced side by side for most of the journey.

Wekaforce looked likely to take control of the race in the straight, but Emily Margaret refused to let her past and pulled away to win by half a length.

“It was a good, tough win,” co-trainer Kevin Hughes told NZ Racing Desk. “It was a great ride by Jasmine, as I said we had to use the barrier in a big field like that. With that many in the field, there can be carnage when you get in amongst them, so we were much better in front and out of trouble.

“I thought that Wekaforce was the one to beat and they really set down to a ding-dong battle in the home straight. I know how tough my filly is, so I was hoping she would see it out. She loves a scrap.”

Emily Margaret has now had four starts for two wins, two placings and $48,000 in prize-money for owners Mr and Mrs Rodger Finlay.

Emily Margaret earned 7 Southern Filly Series points with Saturday’s win. Runner-up Wekaforce collected 4 points, with 2 points for third-placed Quattro Katie (Zoustar).

The Series will now pause until the autumn, with the remaining three legs being the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) on March 2, the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) on April 6 and the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) on April 13.