NZB Southern Fillies Series Begins
22 September 2006
Saturday does not only see the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series commence but it also heralds the start of New Zealand Bloodstock's Southern Filly of the Year Series. The running of the $50,000 Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton is the first of the four Listed races, sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock, that make up the Series.
Fillies looking to take home the prestigious title and join the likes of Mercurous, Pledge and Tartan Tights on the Southern Filly Roll of Honour are awarded points as follows: seven for first placing, three for second and one for third.
Southern Filly of the Year Series Races:
| Date | Race Name | Race Club |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 23, 2006 | $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) | Canterbury Jockey Club |
| Sunday, March 25, 2007 | $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m) | Otago Racing Club |
| Saturday, April 21, 2007 | $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1600m) | Canterbury Jockey Club |
| Saturday, May 5, 2007 | $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) | Canterbury Jockey Club |
Shikoba (Cheif Bearhart x Summary), star three-year-old filly and eventual winner of the 2005-06 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, began her assault on filly racing with a decisive win in the Canterbury Belle Stakes last year.
A field of thirteen has been assembled for Saturday's race with Shane Marr, trainer of last season's Series winner Ombre Rose (O'Reilly x Lady Chanele), looking to replicate that success with Take D'Cash (D'Cash x Stop the Blues). Three race day starts have seen the Riccarton based filly produce two third placings.
Also by Ashwell Farm's D'Cash is winner of the Listed ORC Ford Champagne Stakes (1050m) Udiditagain (D'Cash x Tio Iris). The first stakes winner for her sire, she also has the home track advantage, being trained by Kevin Hughes, and has plenty of raceday experience with eight starts under her belt.
Meanwhile, embarking on just her second start, is the Michael Pitman trained Courting (Green Perfume x Lovett's Bay).
From the Washdyke stable of Peter South, Citybythesea (City on a Hill x Cassie Gray) will line up for her fourth raceday start. Not far off a win in her last start, she was less than a length behind Half a Chance (Danzighill x Serenova) over 1200 metres last weekend at Timaru.
Making the big trip South from Otaki is the Howie and Lorraine Mathews trained half sister to Crusoe (Volksraad x Caserio), Dorabella (Postponed). She has notched up a win and second placing from just two starts to date. Crusoe, now a winner in Singapore, was third in the Group 1 CJC Two Thousand Guineas to Darci Brahma (Danehill x Grand Echezeaux) and Captain Kurt (Volksraad x O'Sequita).
The Mike Moroney and Dean Melton trained Keeper On (Keeper x Flying Finish) enters the race off the back of her first win on August 24 over 1400 metres at Omaru. From the first crop of her Cambridge Stud based sire, she is one of his six winners in New Zealand to date which includes the Listed winner, Keep the Message (Keeper x Miss Morrinsville).
Also off the back of a last start win is Halobelle (My Halo x Nassibelle). Winner of both her raceday starts, she is trained by Wayne Stevens at Wingatui and will be ridden by Jamie Bullard. Halobelle is from the second crop of Argentinean sire, My Halo who stands at Berkely Stud in Christchurch.
Due for her first win is Lady Classique (Stravinsky x Maiden Over) for the Mark Walker stable. Her race record currently boasts four placings from six starts including a tight second (0.2L) behind Sponge Bob (Green Perfume x Bluebird Dancer) in a maiden over 1200 metres at Riccarton two weeks ago.
Rounding off the field are Kincaple Belle (Bertolini x Omoto Lass), Our Shakira (Cullen x Sonet), Sophie Dolman (Felix the Cat x Elvira Madigan), Strike it Lucky (Deputy Governor x The Essence) and Kashwood (Kashani x Got a Woodie).