The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series stretches beyond 1600 metres for the first time in the 2016-17 season when a field of 12 fillies contests the $100,000 Group 2 Stella Artois Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
With none of the winners of the previous legs – Honey Rider (NZ) (Pins), La Diosa (NZ) (So You Think) and current Series leader Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) – lining up in this race, the Royal Stakes presents an opportunity for others to make their move up the leader board. The winner of the race receives 8 points, with 4 points for second and 2 for third.
The only runner in the Royal Stakes who already has points to her name is Glass Slipper (NZ) (Pins), who picked up three points for finishing second to Honey Rider in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).
Several other fillies bring strong form credentials into the race, including last-start winners Dame Margo Fonteyn (NZ) (High Chaparral) and Nicoletta (NZ) (Savabeel).
NZB Release