No Pushover Takes a Share of the Lead in Southern Filly Series

A dominant win in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton has earned No Pushover (NZ) (Pins) a share of the lead in the NZB Southern Filly of the Year Series.

The race was the third leg of the Series. The winners of the first two legs, Windborne (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Honor That (NZ) (Darci Brahma), were absent from the race but topped the table with 7 points apiece. After No Pushover’s Riccarton romp, the lead is now shared three ways.

No Pushover sat in second place for most of Saturday’s race before taking control soon after turning for home and asserting her superiority down the straight. She crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of a fast-finishing Goodsav (NZ) (Savabeel) and Deedee Panache (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

No Pushover has now won two of her six starts, with the wins coming back-to-back after trainer Shaune Ritchie tried racing the filly in blinkers.

“The blinkers have made a big difference with her,” Ritchie’s stable representative Rocky Patterson said.

“Shaune always plays things down a bit, but I think deep down he thinks this isn’t a bad horse. He rated her a bit of a chance coming into today. Masa rode a bloody good race and the horse did the job. I think she’s got a good future.”

No Pushover was offered in the Karaka sale ring by Wentwood Grange at the 2015 Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale, where owners KRD Racing bought her for just $3,000. She has now won more than $40,000 and has earned black type.

Following Saturday’s result, Honor That, Windborne and No Pushover share the Series lead with 7 points. Goodsav, Cantilena (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Dezzies Dream (NZ) (Coats Choice) have 3 points.  Princess Davone (NZ) (Iffraaj) has finished third in two races so has 2 points, while Deedee Panache has 1 point.

The Series concludes next Saturday with the $50,000 Listed NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton, where the winner will earn 7 points, second 3 points and third 1 point.