Showemup (NZ) Stakes Claim for Southern Filly Series

Invercargill filly Showemup (NZ) (Showcasing) joined a tight race for the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series title when she scored a dominant win in Saturday’s third leg, the $50,000 Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes at Riccarton.

The Sally McKay-trained runner had run fast-finishing placings in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Dunedin Guineas (1500m) earlier this season, and on Saturday she stretched out to 1600 metres for the first time in her career.

Making her first appearance in the Southern Filly of the Year Series, Showemup burst through a gap along the inside rail soon after the field turned for home and raced out to a clear lead. Fellow Southern Filly Series newcomer Grand Soleil (NZ) (Savabeel) tried to run her down, but Showemup was too far in front and held on by three-quarters of a length. The rest of the field finished another six lengths adrift.

Now the winner of three of her nine starts and more than $64,000 in stakes, Showemup earned 7 Southern Filly Series points to move into equal second place on the table alongside La Diosa (NZ) (So You Think) and Residential (NZ) (Pins).

Series leader Starvoia (Starcraft), who has 8 points, did not run in Saturday’s race, and nor did La Diosa. Residential finished sixth.

Grand Soleil picked up 4 points for her second placing on Saturday and now sits in equal fifth place on the table. Sharing that position is Dontpokethetiger (Beneteau), who has now finished third in two Series races and earned 2 points on each occasion.

The Series concludes with the Listed NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) on April 22. It has been identified as a target for Showemup.

With the National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka just around the corner, Saturday’s race was a fitting result. Showemup was sold at the 2014 Sale, where she was bought by Alexandra’s Clayview Farm for just $2,250.