Strong Field For Second Southern Filly Of The Year Race
20 February 2003
Heading the talented field of 3YO fillies is the Michael Pitman and Chris Harris trained Royal Show (Deputy Governor x Bluebird Dancer) who looks to be one of the leading chances in the race, with her form-line boasting three wins and four placings from just ten starts, including a stakes win in the Listed Gore Guineas and two stakes placings.
The former northerner Magic Bow (Magic of Sydney x D'Or Veille) also has strong claims on the race, with her best performance to date a second in the Listed Southland Guineas when she pushed The Jewel, one of the best fillies in New Zealand, to a � length victory. Magic Bow's sole win, over Fei Lung, has also recently been made to look all the stronger after Fei Lung was a fast finishing fourth in the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic behind Lafleur and Bramble Rose.
Another talented ex North Island runner is the Peter and Dawn Williams trained Tonic (Blues Traveller x Sent to War), who ran second to Willow Wood in the Listed Dunedin Casino South Island 3YO Final at her first start in the South Island at the beginning of February.
The Dennis brothers' The Melody (Straight Strike x The Reason) has shown plenty of promise in her five race day starts with a win and three placings to date, including a determined win over Exploding Albucina last weekend.
Other runners with strong form-lines include Urquharts Belle (Personal Escort x Noble Maria), who has won or placed at her last four starts and Smiling Asset (College Chapel x Fragile Asset), a dual winner.
With none of the fillies who have points from the previous Southern Filly of The Year race entered, Saturday's race gives all runners the opportunity to stake their claims to the title.
The race marks the second leg of the five race New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series, with the points table currently as follows.
Flying Coup 7
Mighty Myrtle 4
The Jewel 1
The points available for Saturday's race are:
1st � 7 points
2nd � 4 points
3rd � 1 point
The 2002-2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series can be followed by viewing www.nzb.co.nz where the points table for each series is regularly updated after each race. For further information please contact Taryn Bax at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or Email taryn@nzb.co.nz