Southern Fillies Filly Series Starts Saturday

Not only does the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series kick off on Saturday but also the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series.

The $55,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton is the first leg of the four-race Series. All four Listed races are sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock with the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year going to the three-year-old filly who has accrued the most points at the Series completion.

On Saturday at 4:37pm twelve fillies will chase the seven points for first, three for second and one for third.

Last season's Champion Trainer Mark Walker is represented by the winner of three, Lady Sakura (Jungle Pocket x Lady Bay), and Floridita (Fasliyev x Rose Pompadour) who has won two from four including her last start at Riccarton.

Other last start winners include the Kevin Hughes trained Dream By Day (City On A Hill x Russian Slice) and the promising Oxford Aunt (Tuscany Flyer x Albertina) who has won her last two for trainer Pam Robson.

The Brian and Shane Anderton trained Cherry Creek (Monashee Mountain x Stage Flash) will start from barrier seven for her second up run after a fifth to Oxford Aunt last start at Riccarton.

Making the trip South is the Mark Oulaghan trained Crossword (Cape Cross x Miss Morrinsville). A half sister to dual Group 1 winner The Message (Gold and Ivory) and the promising Keep The Message (Keeper), she has taken home the spoils of a win and second placing from her three starts.

Lining up for just their second race-day starts are Miss Molly Brown (Virginia Privateer x Lizzie Brown), Osoroyal (His Royal Highness x Fairee Queen) and Turf Fire (O'Reilly x Threestrikes Out) who was third on debut. Also in her first preparation, but with two starts under her belt, is Spot On (No Excuse Needed x Recent Lady). Trained by Daniel Champion she improved to come third last week at Riccarton.

Love On The Rocks (Diamond Express x Cosmic Flight), trained by Paul Harris, has cashed in from four of her eight starts including a win over Oxford Aunt and Lady Sakura back in May. She is from a full sister to Group 1 Stoney Bridge Stakes contender Cog Hill (Star Way x Regal Flight).

Recently relocated to the South Island, Mark Todd will be represented by the resuming Miz Munroe (Shinko King x Down View). In her first preparation she won on debut and was ninth in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes.

2007-2008 Southern Filly of the Year Race Schedule