New Zealand's leading three-year-old fillies will battle for supremacy in Saturday's $300,000 gavelhouse 44th New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
The classic is being run under a new name this year, named after New Zealand Bloodstock's Australasian online auction platform gavelhouse.com.
The gavelhouse.com 1000 Guineas is the second leg of the NZB Filly of the Year Series and one of the most significant, carrying 12 points for the winner, 7 points for second and 3.5 points for third.
Honey Rider (NZ) (Pins) leads the Series following her win in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September, but she will not be lining up in Saturday's Guineas. But Gold Trail Stakes placegetters Glass Slipper (NZ) (Pins) and Mystery Show (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret) are there, lining up against a host of high-class challengers.
The favourite is La Diosa (NZ) (So You Think), whose dam Star Affair is a half-sister to The Jewel (NZ) (O'Reilly) who won the 1000 Guineas 14 years ago. La Diosa has won three of her five starts including the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) in her last two appearances.
The 1000 Guineas is one of the country's most prestigious races and has been won by seven of the last 10 Filly of the Year winners – Platinum Witness (California Dane) in 2014, Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago) in 2013, Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock) in 2011, King's Rose (NZ) (Redoute's Choice) in 2010, Katie Lee (Pins) in 2009 and Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) in 2008.
NZB Release
