Contessa Vanessa Chases NZB Filly of the Year Title

Media Release - Thursday March 1

Only one filly poses any possible threat to the 2017-18 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series leader Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy).

Contessa VanessaThat filly is Contessa Vanessa(NZ) (Bullbars), who will line up in the ninth leg of the Series, the $70,000 Group 3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Dijon Bleu has amassed a formidable tally of 30 points, which has almost guaranteed her the prestigious Filly of the Year title.

But with Dijon Bleu's season now over due to a slight injury, second-placed Contessa Vanessa has window of opportunity. If she can win both the Sunline Vase (6 points to the winner) and the final leg of the Series, the $400,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 17 (12 points), Contessa Vanessa will finish with a winning score of 31.5 points.

Contessa Vanessa won the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Boxing Day, and she has placed in the Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m). She warmed up for the Sunline Vase with an impressive win at Matamata last Saturday.

Other fillies in Saturday's field withFilly of the Year Seriespoints to their name areKapoor(NZ) (Reliable Man) with 4,Blanco Belle(NZ) (Cape Blanco) with 3,Gris Dame(NZ) (Reliable Man) with 2 andMarcellina(NZ) (Savabeel) with 2.

The Sunline Vase will be run as Race 7 during Ellerslie's New Zealand Derby meeting on Saturday, with a start time of 4.05pm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
One to Watch – Moonee Valley
This promising three year-old Cosmic Force filly made it wo wins in as many starts at Moonee Valley on Friday night with a tenacious display.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Catalogue Online for the Southern Hemisphere Session of the Tattersalls Online December Sale
The catalogue of initial entries for the Southern Hemisphere Session, an innovative collaboration between Tattersalls Online and Inglis Digital, has now been published on the Tattersalls Online website.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.