This year’s field for the $100,000 Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) will head to Te Rapa on Saturday with a proud record of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series success to uphold.
This race has been won by seven of the last 11 NZB Filly of the Year winners, including all of the last four – Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi), Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy), Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax) and Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle).
The Fillies’ Classic is worth 8 Filly of the Year points for the winner, which could give this season’s Series a new leader for the first time since November.
Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has clearly topped the table with 15 points since her victory in the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 14, but Fillies’ Classic contenders Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) and Needle and Thread (Makfi) sit in equal second place on 8 points each and could take over with a victory on Saturday.
Others in Saturday’s field with Filly of the Year Series points to their name are Victorem (NZ) (Shooting to Win) and Sweet Anna (NZ) (Tavistock) with 3 each, Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel) with 2 and Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood) with 1.5.
Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Key (Exceed and Excel) are yet to earn points in the Filly of the Year Series, but finished first and second against male three-year-olds in the Group Three Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in November.
The David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic will be run as Race 7 at Te Rapa on Saturday with a start time of 3:40pm.
