Minor Upset In New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes

Gai Waterhouse trained filly Basra (Desert King x Dupion) managed an impressive victory in the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes earlier this week. The filly, who started in the Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day, relished the extra ground and pulled clear of field as she entered the straight.

New Zealand's golden girl and race favourite; three-year-old filly Justa Tad (Istidaad x Infinity) got clear in the straight and fought courageously but despite making ground on the front runner she was unable to overtake her.

Both fillies will meet again in the 2400 metre ING Life New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on 22 January. The Oaks is the next leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Fillies Series and being a Group 1 event offers 12, 7 and 3.5 points for first, second and third respectively.

Running in to third position in the Royal Stakes was Eight Carat Classic winner Spin 'N Grin (Spinning World x Smile).

The current points in the Fillies' Series are:

Justa Tad 30

La Sizeranne 20

Spin 'N Grin 12

Basra 8

Eloa 8

Vamperalla 4

Julinsky Princess 3.5

Clean Sweep 3

Sheka 1.5

Sista 1.5

Volk Dancer 1

The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series points table is updated after each race on New Zealand Bloodstock's website www.nzb.co.nz . For further information about the series please contact Julian Phillips at New Zealand Bloodstock, julianp@nzb.co.nz