New Zealand Oaks a Grand Finale for NZB Filly of the Year Series

With a full field of highly talented fillies, Saturday’s $500,000 Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham is set to provide an exciting conclusion to the 2023-24 NZB Filly of the Year Series.

The Oaks is the 11th and final leg of the prestigious series, which began with the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September and has since made stops at Pukekohe, Riccarton, Trentham, Te Rapa, Ellerslie and Taupo. The Oaks is worth 12 points to the winner, with 7 for second and 2.5 for third.

Star filly Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) is not in the Oaks field but is already guaranteed the coveted NZB Filly of the Year title, having amassed an unassailable total of 28 points. But the second and third spots on the table are well and truly up for grabs.

The second-placed Impendabelle (Impending) is also absent from the Oaks line-up, but nine fillies among the field for the Trentham classic have already earned points during the NZB Filly of the Year Series and can make big moves up the table on Saturday.

Still Bangon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) sits in third spot on the NZB Filly of the Year standings. Her victory in the Group Three Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and placings in the Group Two Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) and Group Three Sunline Vase (2100m) have earned her a total of 11.5 points.

Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote) was a last-start winner of the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2000m), earning 8 points and moving into equal fourth on the table. Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor) won the Sunline Vase a few days earlier and collected 6 points.

Harlow Rocks (NZ) (Roc De Cambes), Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir), Race Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Sign Of Peace (NZ) (Preferment) have each earned 4 points, while Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) have collected 3 apiece.

But the Oaks chances don’t end there. Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor) has also been stakes-placed, while six others in the field have won races.

The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks will be run as Race 8 at Trentham on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 4.40pm.