NZB Filly of the Year Series Steps Up to 200m

Media Release - Sunday December 31

New Zealand is known for its staying fillies and mares, and the stamina-oriented fillies in this season's three-year-old crop will get their chance to shine when New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year Series steps up in distance for the $100,000 Group 2 Stella Artois Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

Contessa VanessaThere is the potential for major changes on the leaderboard, with Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) heroineContessa Vanessa(NZ) (Bullbars) lining up again six days on from her Boxing Day heroics.

The Team Rogerson runner sits in third place on the table with 9.5 points, and a repeat result in the Royal Stakes would earn her another 8 points – taking her past the current leaderDijon Bleu(NZ) (Burgundy) who has 16.

The only other Royal Stakes runner with Filly of the Year Series points to her name isGris Dame(NZ) (Reliable Man), who collected 2 points with her third placing in the Eight Carat Classic.

A number of runners are making their Filly of the Year Series debut in the Royal Stakes, includingFiscal Fantasy(Skilled) who has impressively won her last two in a row.

The Royal Stakes winner will collect 8 points, with 4 for second and 2 for third.

On a spectacular raceday featuring six black-type events, the Royal Stakes will be run as Race 4 with a start time of 2.35pm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.