Sheka The Standout For Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Castletown Stakes

This Queen's Birthday weekend offers exciting racing from around the country. Foxton Racing Club's premier meeting of the year takes place on Monday with the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Castletown Stakes being the highlight of the day. The 1200m event is worth $30,000 and has a $10,000 Mercedes Super Bonus attached for eligible runners. The race is one of the last opportunities for horses to gain all important black type as juveniles.

The strong field includes smart filly Sheka (NZ) (Sandtrap x Lynsu) who tasted black type success at her last start in the Listed ARC Great Northern Foal Stakes (1200m). The filly, who was sold at the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Festival Sale by Java Lodge for $2500, is proficient in wet conditions and an outside draw should come in handy if the track remains soft.

Former champion Zimbabwe jockey Mark Du Plessis, who has recently decided to base himself permanently in New Zealand, will ride the filly for the Sargent / Allpress training partnership.

In the running for the Mercedes Super Bonus are three 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Fillies Sale graduates.

Firstly, Platinum Slipper (NZ) (Pins x Volterra), from the Lisa Latta stable, will be ridden from the two barrier draw by Bruce Herd. The filly has shown promise early in her career picking up two minor placings from her five starts. Latta bought the filly from Waikato Stud for $25,000.

Secondly, Excerpts (NZ) (Stravinsky x Rare Bits) was purchased for $11,000 by Graeme Rogerson from Trelawney Stud. She is trained by the Rogerson / Autridge team and has had one start, at Wellington Racing Club, where she finished fifth.

Finally, Myladys (NZ) (Kingfisher Mill x Perspicacious) rounds out the eligible runners. Trevor McKee purchased the filly for $6,500 from Havenfield Farm and now trains her in partnership with son Stephen. She has had one start at Whangarei where she finished seventh.

There will be another chance for the 2YO's to pick up a $10,000 Mercedes Super Bonus at Te Aroha's midweek meeting on Wednesday.

For more information on the Mercedes Super Bonus Series please contact Julian Phillips at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or julianp@nzb.co.nz, or view the New Zealand Bloodstock website at www.nzb.co.nz which is updated after each race.