Southern Fillies’ Last Chance

Southern Fillies’ Last Chance

The New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series concludes this weekend with the running of the Listed $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton.

The fillies are stepping up to 2000m following last weekend’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes run over 1600m, won by Series leader Madam Victoria (NZ) (High Chaparral), with 13 fillies to go to post on Saturday.

Madam Victoria has one hand on the Southern Filly of the Year title, sitting on 14 points thanks to last weekend’s victory which followed her win in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes last month. The Terri Rae trained filly looks well-placed in Saturday’s event, drawing barrier 7.

Two horses are in a position to tie with Madam Victoria in the Series if she was to be unplaced on Saturday. Her stablemate Silhouette Noir (Dane Shadow) is on 7 points and a victory on Saturday would earn a further 7 points taking her tally to 14. The Dane Shadow filly has been the runner-up to Madam Victoria in her two previous starts and will start from barrier 10.

The other filly with a chance to draw equal with Madam Victoria on 14 points is Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes winner Orovela (NZ) (Saperavi), the first race in the Series. The Daniel Champion and Kezia Murphy trained filly has drawn barrier 9 for the event.

Northern visitor Porotene Park (NZ) (Thorn Park) finished third in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes last weekend, collecting 1 point in the Series. Trained by Robert Patterson at New Plymouth, the Thorn Park filly was a winner at Wanganui before last weekend’s third placing and has drawn barrier 3 for rider Robert Hannam.

Talented filly Include (NZ) (Gallant Guru) has won two Listed events in the south this season and competed against the best fillies in New Zealand in the Group 1 NZ Oaks. The Gallant Guru filly has drawn barrier 12 for trainers Brian & Shane Anderton.

Last start winner Osmunda (NZ) (O’Reilly) travels down from Jason Bridgman’s Matamata base following a strong victory over 1600m at Otaki. The O’Reilly filly has to overcome the outside barrier draw of 13 for Jillian Morris.

The John & Karen Parsons trained filly Miss Alice (NZ) (Pins) was an impressive winner two starts ago before running a creditable sixth in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes last weekend. The Pins filly will start from barrier 6.

Owner/breeder Kevin Hickman has enjoyed a stellar run lately thanks largely to the deeds of Silent Achiever. Florence Hilton (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) will carry Hickman’s colours on Saturday for trainers Shane Kennedy & Anna Furlong. The debut winner has only had three starts and jumps from barrier 8.

Otaki trainer Karen Zimmerman has Slice of Class (NZ) (Guillotine) engaged, a winner two starts ago on her home track. The filly by Guillotine was seen running on late over 1600m at her last start giving the impression the 2000m will suit and has drawn barrier 2.

Carrying the same colours as Include is fellow Brian & Shane Anderton trained filly Awow (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). The No Excuse Needed filly will jump from barrier 4, looking to win the second race of her career.

Cambridge visitor Satay (NZ) (Keeper) was third in the Listed Championship Stakes Prelude over 2100m at Ellerslie earlier this season. The Keeper filly will start from barrier 5 for trainers Mark Fraser-Campin and brother Chris Campin.

Two maiden runners round out the field with the Nikki & Barrie Batch trained Sureasyouwereborn (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) and the Daniel Champion & Kezia Murphy trained Angel Falls (NZ) (Perfectly Ready).

The winner of the Listed NZB Warstep Stakes collects 7 points in the NZB Southern Filly of the Year Series with second earning 3 points and third receiving 1 point.

Ends

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