Zirna Flies The Flag For Nz Winning The Raffles Cup In Singapore

New Zealand Bloodstock sale graduate Zirna (Deputy Governor x Riverly Lass) proved too good for her international competition on Saturday, winning the S.Group 1 Raffles International Cup (S$350,000, 1800m) at Kranji in Singapore.

Trained by Malcolm Thwaites and ridden by Mark Du Plessis, Zirna was too strong for the other 8 runners in the field crossing the line ahead of John Meagher trained Lord of the Pines and Charles Read trained Lead to Victory.

Bred by Jim Campin of Chequers Stud in Cambridge, Zirna was sold at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2000 Premier Yearling Sale for $40,000 to trainer Stephen Autridge and is now owned by Auckland's Westbury Stud.

Zirna has had four starts since arriving in Singapore, winning the Singapore Derby Trial and placing in the Singapore TC Patrons Bowl and the Singapore Derby before her win on Saturday.

Zirna was also highly competitive when racing in New Zealand, having taken out the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeder's Stakes in March this year.

The next opportunities to purchase from New Zealand Bloodstock are the forthcoming Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs on November 18 and the National Yearling Sales Series from January 26 � February 1 2004.

For information on New Zealand Bloodstock Sales please contact Taryn Bax at New Zealand Bloodstock on +64 9 298 0055 or view the New Zealand Bloodstock website www.nzb.co.nz