Self Obsession (NZ) Closes the Gap in NZB Filly of the Year Series

With two Group Two victories in a row, Self Obsession (NZ) (Shocking) has come from nowhere to suddenly be a close second behind her stablemate Belle En Rouge (NZ) (Burgundy) on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series standings.

Coming into Saturday’s $110,000 Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa with 8 points to her name from a last-start victory in the Group Two Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m) on New Year’s Day, Self Obsession doubled that tally with another impressive performance. She now sits in second place on the points table with 16 points, while Belle En Rouge retains the lead with 19. Belle En Rouge finished fifth in Saturday’s Fillies’ Classic and earned no additional points.

Ridden by Michael McNab, Self Obsession raced on the speed throughout Saturday’s 2000-metre test and was still full of running as she turned for home. She shook free of the field in the straight, then dug deep to hold out the challenge of Glory Bound (NZ) (Tavistock) in a tight finish.

“She is a big, imposing sort of filly who is a genuine stayer that can roll along in front and sustain that speed,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “She hasn’t got a turn of foot, but she just keeps going and we’re very proud of her.”

Self Obsession was born and raised at Hallmark Stud. Owned by her Hong Kong-based breeder David Price, she has now had four starts for three wins and $141,730 in stakes.

Glory Bound earned 4 points through Saturday’s second placing, with third-placed Achieve (NZ) (Pierro) earning 2 points to lift her total to 5.

The ninth leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series will be the $110,000 Group Two Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on March 2, followed three days later by the $80,000 Group Three McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. The grand finale is the $400,000 Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 19.

“Self Obsession was a little bit vulnerable with her fitness today, but she is going to stay all day,” Richards said. “She has a little bit of improvement to come, with either the Lowland or the Sunline Vase her next target before heading down to Trentham.”