Opportunity Abounds for Southern Fillies

New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series continues with the running of the Listed $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Saturday.

The Series consists of four races, with the final race taking place on 18 April over 2000m at Riccarton. The filly who has earned the most points at the conclusion of the Series will be awarded the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year title.

Currently at the top of the Southern Filly of the Year Leaderboard is Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) on 7 points, winning the first leg of the Series, the Listed New Zealand Canterbury Belle Stakes. Consensus (NZ) (Postponed) is in second place with 3 points and Cryptic (NZ) (Sahkee’s Secret) has 1 point.

Leading Saturday’s field is Querer (NZ) (Captain Rio) for trainers John and Karen Parsons. Finishing second in her last start in the Listed Dunedin Guineas, she has won three of her six starts and placed in a further two. She will start from barrier 2 on Saturday.

A winner on debut as a three-year-old was Miss Seton Sands (Gonski) for trainer Steven Woodsford. Placing in three of her five starts, including two wins and a Listed placing in the Gore Guineas, Miss Seton Sands will jump from barrier 1.

The second runner for John and Karen Parsons is Madam Bentley (NZ) (Edenwold). Winner of three of her nine starts, one at 1400m, the daughter of Edenwold will try her hand at the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes from barrier 7.

Stakes winner as a two-year-old was Elusive Catch (NZ) (Elusive City), trained by Sabin Kirkland. Breaking maiden status at stakes level in her second start in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes, the daughter of Elusive City has won a total of two races. Starting from barrier 5, Samantha Wynne takes the ride.

Placing in three of her five starts, with one win, is Sofia Loren (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous). Her last race saw her finish second a month earlier over 1200m. Sofia Loren will start from barrier 8 for trainers Claire & Hec Anderton.

Winning fresh-up at the start of the season was La Veuve (NZ) (Iffraaj) from the stable of Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong. The Iffraaj filly has since finished second on three occasions and will be starting Saturday’s race from barrier 4.

The filly with the most experience in the field is Dragons Den (NZ) (Dylan Thomas), with 16 starts since debuting as a two-year-old. Trained by Michael and Matthew Pitman, she won her first race this season over 1200m. Dragon’s Den will start from barrier 6.

The Lisa Latta trained Platinum Command (NZ) (Red Giant) has produced five placings, including one win, from her eight starts. The Red Giant filly will begin from barrier 3.

Rounding out the field is Coulee (NZ) (Gallant Guru), trained by Brian and Shane Anderton. Coulee had her first start as a three-year-old and has placed in two of her six starts. The Gallant Guru filly will start from barrier 9.

The winner of the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes will receive 7 points, second place will earn 3 points and third place earns 1 point.

To view the full field for the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes, click here.

For information on the Southern Filly of the Year Series, click here.