Ombre Rose Victory Seals NZB Southern Filly Series
6 May 2006
On her home track at Riccarton, favourite Ombre Rose rose to the occasion to record her third Listed win in today's New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m), and take out this season's New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series.
Ridden by her regular race-day partner, Brian Hibberd, the Shane Marr-trained filly was guided from four wide to a prime spot one off the rail around the back bend. An earlier run than usual saw her head to the lead on the turn and hold off her challengers to win by�3/4 of a length. The Mike Moroney-trained runner, Lady Atire, was second with another�3/4 length to Mystify in third.
Ombre Rose's�decisive victory gives her an additional seven points in the Southern Filly of the Year Series and a three point lead from previous Series leader, Smitten Kitten, to earn her the crown.
Final 2005-2006 Southern Filly of the Year Points Table:
| Horse | Points |
|---|---|
| Ombre Rose (O'Reilly x Lady Chanele) | 14 |
| Smitten Kitten (Volksraad x Vanderbilt) | 11 |
| Shikoba (Chief Bearhart x Summary) | 7 |
| Lady Atire (Pentire x Lady Acumen) | 3 |
| Noi (Racer's Edge x Shavery Lady) | 3 |
| Mystical (My Halo x Miami) | 3 |
| Condore (Desert Fox x Anzam Dam) | 1 |
| Mystify (Montjeu x Seamist) | 1 |
| Miss Benro (Cullen x Deutzia) | 1 |
Owned by Reon and Sheldon Murtha, and Michelle House, Ombre Rose now has an impressive six wins from seven career starts.��These include a last start win�in the New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1600m), the third�race in the�four-race Series.�
The first two legs of the Series were won by Shikoba in the New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) in September, and Smitten Kitten in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m) in March.��
The Southern Filly of the Year Series is an important part of the Southern Racing Calendar, designed to assist the growth and success of the New Zealand breeding industry by providing opportunities for good fillies to earn valuable black type while racing in New Zealand. Ombre Rose joins 2004-5 winner, Royal Miss, and 2003-4 winner, Classic Clare,�on the list of previous title winners.
Bred by Michael House and Sheldon Murtha's Top of the Trots Ltd, Ombre Rose is by Waikato Stud's resident sire, O'Reilly. O'Reilly�- also the sire of successful Group 1 winning fillies The Jewel and Final Destination�- is represented by ten weanlings at tomorrow's New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
Bred by Dame Sian Elias, Hugh Fletcher and Alan Galbraith, Lady Atire was purchased by Paul Moroney at the 2004 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$90,000 from Rich Hill Stud.
New Zealand Bloodstock would like to thank the connections of all fillies that participated in the Series and to congratulate the connections of�Ombre Rose�for her success in winning the prestigious title of 2005-2006 New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year.
A presentation for the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year title will be made at the annual South Island Racing Awards later this year.