One Love Aims to Extend NZB Southern Filly Series Lead

One Love (Danasinga x Jackie O') heads the twelve filly field to contest the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday, the penultimate race in the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series.

From the Riccarton based training stable of Shane Kennedy and Ricky Carston, she currently sits on seven points with Dorabella (Postponed x Caserio). Kennedy commented "One Love has worked super since her last win, however, her ability to handle softer track conditions is unknown - but we're hopeful". The filly worked well over 600 metres in 37.9 seconds this morning.

Looking to add to their current points in the Series are recent Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes second and third place-getters - Grace Park (Danske x Stella Stargazer) and Tantalise (Postponed x Amora).

Jan Hay's Tantalise will be ridden by Jamie Bullard, while Terry Mosely will partner Steve Anderton's Grace Park. Jarrod Todd will ride Grace Park's stable-mate Preciousone (My Halo x Mumbles), a winner on two occasions.

Having a hit-out this morning at Riccarton was the Kevin Hughes trained Baci (Bertolini x Calm Conqueror). She completed her final 600 metres in 37.2 seconds, while on Tuesday Peter and Dawn Williams sent Maruia Springs (Thunder Gulch x Extra Heat) to work in company, recording 35.6 over the same distance. The forecasted rain could help Baci's cause, who boasts some form on softer tracks.

On a black type mission South is the Roger James trained Perle Noire (Black Minnaloushe x Pearl Dragon). A half sister to multiple stakes winner Spring Rain (Centaine), she has raced nine times for the Mapperley Stud partnership to record two wins and two seconds.

Also making the trip South is the Tim Ryan trained, Dutyful (Deputy Governor x Diana Ferrari). The least experienced of the field with just three starts, she will be partnered by Lee Callaway after impressively breaking maiden ranks over a mile at Pukekohe.

The spotlight will be on Karen Parsons' home bred Querella (Haafiz x Quedar) following her full sister's win in the Listed Santa Anita American Beauty Handicap (1600m) last Friday. Parsons, who trains the filly in partnership with her husband, John, has suggested that the filly will only start providing the rain stays away.

With a win and three placings from just seven starts, Mark Walker's Spring Dancer (Danasinga x Spring) has shown promise.

After breaking maiden ranks in her last start at Wingatui, Amplify (Danzighill x Personify) will be taking a big step up in class.

Marmalaide Jude (Stark South x Bohola) will be ridden by Tomohiro Sasada. Rain could help her cause, with her one win coming from a huge effort in a soft track.

Reports from Riccarton indicate the track is currently rated dead with the Club hoping to provide some good Autumn footing for the $50,000 feature.

Click here for more information on the Southern Filly of the Year Series.