New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes Draws Talented Field Of Fillies

The Group 2 $120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m) has attracted a classy field of talented fillies for the Ellerslie 3YO feature on Thursday 2nd of January.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes provides a great opportunity to not only win an important black type race but also to gain valuable points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series. This prestigious series has been tightly contested so far this season and a win in the Royal Stakes will place the victorious filly in the top four on the points table with only three races in the series to go.

The field is headed by the Mike Moroney and Andrew Scott trained Penny Gem (Pentire x Gemscay), who has impressive recent form after finishing a game second to the talented Natalie Wood in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day. A victory for Penny Gem would place her at the top of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year points' table, equal with The Jewel on 12 points. The Moroney/Scott team will also be represented by Milzeel (Zabeel x Miltak), who is bred to get over ground being by Zabeel from the Auckland Cup and New Zealand Oaks winner Miltak.

The Mark Todd trained Bramble Rose (Shinko King x Images) has also fashioned a consistent race record and looks to have every chance in this field having finished a very credible third in the Eight Carat Classic. Another filly with great recent form is Shezabelle (Deputy Governor x Southern Jewel). Trained by Jamie Graham, Shezabelle won her last start and finished second in her previous two starts.

Paul O'Sullivan also looks to have a strong hand in the race, with his stable represented by the talented trio of Danazira (Danasinga x Zanira), Florida (Pompeii Court x Miss Daytona) and Esmay (Desert King x Tycoon's Model). Danazira is perhaps the best of the three, having recently won the Dunstan Stayers Championship over 2000m against the older horses.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes is the seventh leg in the 2002-2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series. The current points table stands as follows:

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

The points available for Thursday's race are:
1st � 8 points
2nd � 4 points
3rd � 2 points

For more information on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series please contact Tayrn Bax at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055, email tayrn@nzb.co.nz or view the New Zealand Bloodstock website www.nzb.co.nz, where the series is updated after each race.