Planet Rocks Penultimate Race in NZB Fillies Series

Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas winner Planet Rock has extended her lead in New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year Series with a big win in the $70,000 Group 3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hawke's Bay on Saturday.

The penultimate race of New Zealand Bloodstock's ten-race Filly of the Year Series, the win gives Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock x Akris) six points and a huge chance of taking the coveted Series crown, with a new total of 26 points, 11 clear of her nearest rival Capital Diamond on 15 points.

With steady rain falling throughout the race, Planet Rock was taken to the lead in the back straight by jockey Damian Browne and that was the last time her opposition came close to the Peter & Dawn Williams trained filly.

Leading by a length and a half at the 600 metre mark, Planet Rock kicked clear at the point of the turn and held off a determined effort from Capital Diamond to win by three lengths at the post.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock now shares favouritism for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks with New Zealand Derby winner Silent Achiever who is an unlikely contender in the race. The pair are currently quoted at $5 with Zurella and Chicharita at $6.

The NZ Oaks offers 12 Filly of the Year Series points to the winner, giving just two fillies - Zurella and Capital Diamond - the chance to match or exceed Planet Rocks current Series-leading tally if Planet Rock is not among the first three home in the Group 1.

Planet Rock wins the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas

Bred by Bill Gleeson, Planet Rock was purchased by Dutch owner Ger Beemsterboer from Wellfield Lodge at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $290,000. She has now won five of her 11 starts and almost $400,000 in stakes.

Beemsterboer - who owns Planet Rock in partnership with Sarah Green - was back in action at the Karaka Sales last month securing Cambridge Stud's filly by Zabeel from La Quinta Gold for $600,000.

Running second in the Group 3 was the Lisa Latta trained Capital Diamond (Lucky Unicorn x Diamond Smile) who continues to produce honest performances. Bred by Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan and raced in the Cambridge Stud colours, she has run seven consecutive placings on the track in races including the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas, Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes and Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic.

The daughter of Lucky Unicorn earned three points in Saturday's Group 3 taking her to second place in the Series with 15 points and at $8 for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.

Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes winner Quintessential (Fast 'N' Famous x Florette) came from last to claim third and earn 1.5 points in Saturday's race for trainer John Sargent. Coming off the back of a good third in the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, she is another that put in a promising Oaks trial and she remains in fifth place in the Series with 9.5 points.

Bred by Trelawney Stud, Quintessential was purchased by Adrian Clark at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2010 Karaka Select Sale for $70,000, the manager for owner Nearco Stud.

To view the current points table for New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year Series, click here. The final leg of the Series, the Group 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (2400m), will be held at Trentham on 17 March. To view the nominations for the race, click here.