Points Shared in Latest Filly Series Contest

A dead heat between leading New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year contender Platinum Witness (California Dane) and first-time runner in the Series Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel) has seen the points shared after the Group 3 $70,000 The Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Platinum Witness (inside) & Savaria (NZ) winners of the Group 3 The Little Avondale Lowland Stakes. Photo courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North.

The dead heat win places Platinum Witness back in the lead for the Series with 22.5 points, and Savaria earned her first points, with both fillies collecting 4.5 points. Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel) drops back to second position and Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) remains in third spot.

Platinum Witness's record now totals four wins, all at stakes level, from her 13 starts. Her last start saw her step up to staying distance for the first time where she ran fourth for trainer Lisa Latta in the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic.

“It was a great performance,” commented Latta. “She probably just got left in front a touch too soon. She sprinted really well and the other horse just had to sit on her. She went a great race and pulled up well.

“Next she will head to Trentham in two weeks for the Oaks. After this we will just take it step by step, she is nominated for the AJC Oaks and if she doesn’t go there, we will look at Queensland but right now we are focusing on getting through the next fortnight.”

Also trained at Awapuni by Roydon Bergerson, Savaria claimed her first stakes win in her fifth start, her second win overall. The Savabeel filly ran fifth on debut as a three-year-old and has continued to place in all other starts.

“It was a very strong performance by her [Savaria],” commented Bergerson. “I thought she hit the line nicely. She’s shown us she’s a smart filly all the way through, with the plan being to try and get her to the Oaks which she will run in next.”

Both fillies started from a wide barrier, Platinum Witness ridden by Darryl Bradley went forward ahead of Hayden Tinsley’s ride on Savaria to settle mid-field one off the rail, with Savaria tracking one-length behind. Platinum Witness ranged up on the home turn, making a bid to catch pacemaker Dream Run (NZ) (Pins) and took the lead inside 200m.

Savaria wasn’t far away as she sprinted down the home stretch in pursuit of Platinum Witness, charging in on par with the race-favourite resulting in a dead heat. Two-and-a-quarter-lengths away from the winning pair was Pipi Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), who held on for third position earning 1.5 points towards the Series.

Another stakes victory for Platinum Witness has now earned her a total of $331,775 for owners Lincoln Farms Ltd & Neville McAlister.

Latta purchased Platinum Witness for $55,000 at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale from breeder Monovale Farm.

The California Dane filly is out of multiple stakes winning mare Chartreuse (St Petersburg), who is a half-sister to Zarnitsa (Maroof), dam of multiple stakes winner Zennista (Zenno Rob Roy).

Savabeel filly Savaria has increased her stakes to $50,550 for owners DP & Mrs KC Fleming.

Savaria was purchased by DP & Mrs KC Fleming at the 2013 Premier Yearling Sale for $110,000 from Bluegables Farm.

Bred by Mrs JM & TM Henderson, is out of unplaced mare Amathea (O’Reilly), who is a three-quarter-sister to Filey (O’Reilly) and a half-sister to Soelin (Stravinksy), both placegetters at stakes level.

The second-to-last race in NZB’s Filly of the Year Series will take place during this Wednesday 4 March with the Group 3 $70,000 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. The final leg in the 10-race Series is on 14 March at Wellington Racing Club with the Group 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks.

To view the NZB Filly of the Year Leaderboard, click here.