Southern Filly Series Back in Action

The New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series kicks back into action on Saturday with the running of the Listed $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui, the second leg of the Series.

Current Series leader Orovela (NZ) winning the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes.

The first leg of the Series, the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes, was held in September with one of this weekend’s runners, Orovela (NZ) (Saperavi), earning 7 points in the Series with her victory over Dreamer (NZ) (More Than Ready) and Silhouette Noir (Dane Shadow), the latter also among the field on Saturday.

A field of 13 has been assembled, headed by Madam Victoria (NZ) (High Chaparral) for trainer Terri Rae. The daughter of High Chaparral was the winner of her first two starts before finishing fourth last start when things did not go in her favour. She won a trial in preparation for Saturday’s event and has drawn barrier 8.

Current Series leader Orovela enters the race second up from a spell having finished second fresh up. The Saperavi filly was a winner of her first two starts for trainers Danny Champion and Keiza Murphy and will start from barrier 12 on Saturday.

Another horse second up is Rachel Rafter (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) for the training partnership of Kevin & Pam Hughes. Before being turned out for a spell last preparation the daughter of Perfectly Ready finished sixth in the Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas behind Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago). Rider Lee Callaway will have barrier 11 to contend with on Saturday.

Debut winner Soubrettes (NZ) (High Chaparral) defeated a number of runners in the field, including Orovela, when winning at Timaru by 2.5 lengths. The daughter of High Chaparral is trained by Mandy & Matt Moore and will be ridden by leading jockey David Walsh from barrier 3.

Leading trainers Brian & Shane Anderton have three horses in the race on their local track headed by Awow (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). To be ridden by Toni Direen, the No Excuse Needed filly enters the race after competing against strong company in the Listed Dunedin Guineas.

The partnership’s second runner is Gallant Ruby (NZ) (Gallant Guru), a winner by over five-lengths on debut. The Gallant Guru filly has drawn barrier 1 in the Listed feature for apprentice rider Courtney Barnes.

The last of the trio of runners from the Anderton stable is Unicorn Power (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn). The maiden galloper enters the race after running second by the barest of margins at her last start. Shankar Muniandy takes the mount from barrier 10.

Illustrious breeders and owners the Dennis brothers train The Barmaid (NZ) (Gallant Guru) in the feature race at Wingatui. The filly was a winner on debut before finishing an unlucky fourth when held up at her last start and will begin from barrier 7.

Romney (NZ) (Chinese Dragon) was a winner two starts ago for trainer Leda Beck before not getting many favours in the Listed Southland Guineas last start. Jillian Morris will once again ride the daughter of Chinese Dragon from the outside barrier of 13.

Carrying 1 point for the Series into the race is Silhouette Noir, trained by Terri Rae. Since running third in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes the daughter of Dane Shadow competed against the likes of Group 1 winners Atlante (Fastnet Rock) and Costa Viva.

John & Karen Parsons have two maiden horses in the race, Miss Alice (NZ) (Pins) who has placed at all three of her starts, and Colonel Anne (NZ) (Librettist) who ran fourth on debut. They have both drawn favourably in barrier 2 & 5 respectively.

The remaining runner in the race is another maidener Libetto (NZ) (Librettist) for Nikki & Barrie Blatch. The Librettist filly has competed in strong fields throughout her career and will be looking to break through for her first win from barrier 4.

The winner of the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes will receive 7 points in the NZB Southern Filly of the Year Series with second gaining 3 points and third 1 point. There are four races in the Series all carrying equal value with the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes and Listed NZB Warstep Stakes the last two legs of the Series.