Nikita (NZ) and Showemup (NZ) the Big Winners in Warstep Stakes

North Island raider Nikita (NZ) (Shamoline Warrior) won the battle in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton, but it was Invercargill filly Showemup (NZ) (Showcasing) who won the war – crowned New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year.

In a gruelling 2000-metre slog in Slow9 track conditions, Showemup was flattened by an early speed duel and was running on empty in the home straight. She still fought her way home in third place, but Nikita and Tuilana (NZ) (Showcasing) finished over the top of her down the outside and had the finish to themselves. Nikita came out on top, edging out her worthy rival by a neck.

The win was the second of Nikita’s career and boosted the Shaune Ritchie-trained runner’s stakes earnings to $39,675. In her previous start she had finished fourth behind Showemup in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m).

She became the first stakes winner for her sire Shamoline Warrior, who stands at Bluegables Farm. Stud owners Judy and Monty Henderson bred and part-own Nikita alongside KRD Racing.

Nikita picked up 7 Southern Filly Series points for Saturday’s win, giving her a share of third place on the points table alongside Residential (NZ) (Pins) and La Diosa (NZ) (So You Think). Starvoia (Starcraft) is just ahead of them on 8.

But the title of Southern Filly of the Year goes to Showemup, who earned 7 points for winning the NZB Airfreight Stakes two weeks ago and picked up another 2 for Saturday’s third placing to finish with 9 points. Purchased for just $2,250 as a weanling at the 2014 National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka, the Sally McKay-trained Showemup has won three races and $69,025 in stakes for owners Dennis and Sally Mullally.