Tonic Shows Top Form To Win New Zealand Bloodstock Leasing Stakes

Tonic (Blues Traveller x Sent to War) had the right formula on Saturday when she sped home in the New Zealand Bloodstock Leasing Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Canterbury's Riccarton Park.

On a soft track the Peter and Dawn Williams trained filly cleared away in the final stages of the race to win by 3 lengths ahead of fast finishing Royal Show (Deputy Governor x Bluebird Dancer) with Wallenda filly Rayonner (Irradiate) a head away in third.

After an unlucky run at her previous start in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes where she just missed taking third place, Tonic now leads the 2002-03 New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series with 14 points ahead of Royal Show on 10 points.

With only one race left in the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year, all eyes will look to Tonic and Royal Show for an exciting end to the notable Series.

Following the running of the New Zealand Bloodstock Leasing Stakes the points table for the 2002-03 New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year now stands as follows

Tonic 14
Royal Show 10
Flying Coup 7
Irish Belle 3
Magic Bow 3
Mighty Myrtle 3
Cat Shmea 1
Rayonner 1
Smiling Asset 1
The Jewel 1

The final race in the 2002-03 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes at the Canterbury Jockey Club meeting at Riccarton Park, on Saturday 26th April.

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.