Still Bangon (NZ) Joins NZB Filly of the Year Points Table with Eulogy Thriller

Paul and Maureen Guise’s homebred filly Still Bangon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) had her first taste of black-type racing on Saturday and rose to the occasion in style, moving straight into third on the NZB Filly of the Year Series points table with a tenacious victory in the $100,000 Group Three LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

Still Bangon collected 6 points with her Eulogy Stakes success, which sees her move into equal third on the standings alongside the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award). Impendabelle (Impending) tops the table with 15 points, just ahead of Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) on 12.

Still Bangon had made a favourable impression on Matamata trainer Stephen Autridge during her spring campaign, which had seen her record a win, two seconds, a third and a fourth from six starts between August and November. She stepped up on to the big stage on Saturday and immediately showed that she belonged.

But black-type spoils never come easy, and a competitive field of in-form fillies spread out across the Trentham track in a desperate battle down the home straight. Still Bangon, My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) and Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto) were the three that eventually forged ahead of the others to fight out a three-way finish, and it was Still Bangon who found just enough to snatch a thrilling win by a nose. My Lips Are Sealed took second, a long head in front of Chica Mojito.

From eight career starts, Still Bangon has now recorded two wins and three placings, earning $79,035 in stakes.

“I’m thrilled to get that result,” Autridge said. “It was a very close finish and a very testing race, but she fought strongly and deserved the win. She’s been racing well all through the spring, so it’s pleasing to see her step up into black-type company and put in a performance like that. To win a Group Three race is absolutely massive for her owner-breeders and great for the filly.”

Saturday’s Eulogy Stakes placegetters My Lips Are Sealed and Chica Mojito also earned their first Filly of the Year Series points, picking up 3 and 1.5 points respectively.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series heads north for its next two legs, which will both be staged at Pukekohe during the upcoming Christmas Carnival. The Group Two Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) will be run on Boxing Day, followed by the Group Two Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) on New Year’s Day.