Planet Rock Takes NZB Filly of the Year Series
19 March 2012
The final leg of the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series - the $300,000 Group 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (2400m) - has seen Artistic (NZ) claim Oaks glory and Planet Rock take the title of Filly of the Year.
The Oaks was a wide open affair with three fillies - Series winner Planet Rock, Capital Diamond and Zurella - all vying for the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year, but it was Artistic (Darci Brahma x Artless) who trumped them all in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.
Trained by Shaune Ritchie, who in an outstanding training feat claimed the Oaks quinella, the Oaks winner Artistic was ridden by regular jockey Michael Coleman who rode her to victory in her previous start, the Listed Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie.
In an impressive display from the filly, Coleman rode Artistic handy in fourth place on the outside of Myminkcoat (Coats Choice) in transit, and at the top of the straight shot away to a two-length lead.
With many runners coming wide on the turn, it was Zurella who emerged from the pack to challenge Artistic for the Group 1 prize. With both fillies trained by Shaune Ritchie, bred and raced by Dick Karreman and both carrying The Oaks Stud colours, the race was left for the pair to battle it out and it was Artistic who held on to claim the Oaks by a nose.
Trainer Shaune Ritchie was delighted with Artistic's first Group 1 win.
"She always looked like she would run the Oaks trip," commented Ritchie. "She had been giving her opposition some big starts in her previous races but she is a game filly."
An Australian campaign is now on the cards for Artistic with Ritchie keen to see how she pulls up before making a decision.
Her third win at black-type level, Artistic is the first Group 1 winner for her sire Darci Brahma who stands at The Oaks Stud. Darci Brahma currently leads New Zealand's Sires' Premiership by 3YO winners with 17 and has also sired stakes winners in Australia and Singapore.
Bred by Karreman Bloodstock, Artistic's win gives her 12 points in the Series, taking her to fourth place in the Filly of the Year Series with 13.5 points.
Second in the Oaks, Zurella (Zabeel x Doneze Girl) came within a nose of sharing the Filly of the Year title with Planet Rock. The winner of the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and Group 3 Eulogy Stakes, she earned seven points for her second placing and finishes the Filly of the Year Series in second place with 21 points.
Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes winner Quintessential (Fast 'N' Famous x Florette) ran on very well from the back to claim third place in the Oaks and 3.5 points. She finishes the Series on 13 points.
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2011/12 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year |
The daughter of Fastnet Rock amassed an unbeaten 26 points in the Series winning the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and the Oaks lead-up, the Group 3 Lowland Stakes (2100m).
Bred by Bill Gleeson, Planet Rock was purchased by Ger Beemsterboer from Wellfield Lodge for $290,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2010 Karaka Premier Sale. Her 12 career starts have seen her take five wins and four placings for just shy of $400,000.
In winning the Filly of the Year crown, Planet Rock has earned her connections $50,000 in bonus cheques including $10,000 for her breeder, $10,000 for her trainer and $30,000 for her owners.
Her name now joins the likes of King's Rose, Katie Lee, Daffodil, Insouciant and Princess Coup who have all won the Filly of the Year Crown in the last five years.
To see the final standings in the 2011/12 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, click here.