Mime (NZ) Takes a Share of the Lead in NZB Filly of the Year Series

The gripping race towards the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title took another twist in Saturday’s Group 3 McKee Family Sunline Vase at Ellerslie.

Mime (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) scored a courageous victory in the 2100-metre contest, which earned her a share of the Series lead. Now it will all come down to the Group 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks on March 19.

At the beginning of the week the Series lead belonged to NZB 1000 Guineas winner Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who is now trained in Australia and placed in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.

On Wednesday Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi) took over with a dominant win in the Group 3 Lowland Stakes at Hastings, which took her to 14 Series points. But on Saturday Mime matched her and drew level with 14 points, and the two fillies will clash in the Oaks in two weeks’ time to decide the Series.

A determined last-start winner of the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic at Te Rapa after a wide run, Mime was the favourite for the Sunline Vase. She was given a perfect trip by Michael Coleman, sitting just behind the early leader Maritimo (NZ) (Pins) before taking control at the top of the straight. Maritimo refused to go down without a fight, and Sir Tristram runner-up Promise To Reign (Pins) emerged as a serious danger, but Mime outfought and outfinished her opponents to win by three-quarters of a length.

“She’s a good, tough filly,” Coleman said. “She’s been racing well against the older horses, which isn’t easy for a three-year-old filly. She bounced well today and was able to get into a good spot, then she was tough in the straight. She’s looking good towards the Oaks.”

Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman for owner-breeder Laurence Redshaw, Mime has now had 10 starts for four wins, five seconds and just over $150,000 in stakes.

Mime picked up 6 Series points for her victory today, lifting her total from 8 to an equal lead with 14. Promise To Reign picked up another 3 points to go with the 4 she won at Te Rapa three weeks ago, taking her to sixth place in the Series with 7 points. Maritimo’s 1.5 points for third were her first points of the Series.

The final race of the Wellfield Triple Crown, and the NZB Filly of the Year Series, is the Group 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks on 19 March at Trentham.