Group 1 Filly Takes Shot at Filly of the Year Series Lead

Breednet - Wednesday January 16

An exciting New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series continues on Saturday with the sixth leg, the $70,000 Group 3 Williment Travel Group Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

Dijon Bleu (NZ) winning the 2018 Desert Gold Stakes.

Dijon Bleu (NZ) winning the 2018 Desert Gold Stakes.

The talented field is headed by Valalie (Snitzel), who hasn't raced since a strong-finishing second in the Group 1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.

That performance earned her 7 points and a prominent position on the Filly of the Year Series table. The only fillies ahead of her are Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) with 12 and Pinmedown (NZ) (Pins), Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax) and Queen of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel), who all have 8.

None of those fillies are lining up in the Desert Gold, leaving the road clear for Valalie to move up the table. Victory in the Desert Gold is worth 6 points, which would propel her into the lead, while the 3 points for second or 1.5 points for third would move her into second position.

Her opposition on Saturday includes stakes winners Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto) and Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins), along with stakes placegetters Pullyoursocksup (NZ) (Thewayyouare), Just Fabulous (NZ) (O'Reilly) and Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man).

The Williment Travel Group Desert Gold Stakes will be run as Race 8 on Saturday with a start time of 4:22pm.

Advertisment

More Reading...

Rising Northern Hemisphere Star for Ghaiyyath

As we come to the end of 2025, the stallion sitting on top of the Australian Second Season Sires table is Ghaiyyath (IRE) and one of his promising three year-olds in the Northern Hemisphere this year is Opera Ballo, a commanding winner of the Group II Al Rashidiya (1m1f) at Meydan overnight.

2026 Magic Millions Order of Entry 2YO and 3YO Updated

Racing Queensland have today released order of entry updates for the rich $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas to be run at the Gold Coast on January 17 with last week’s three 2YO debutants coming into the top 10.

Sword of State Yearlings to Lure Buyers to Karaka

Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was represented by yet another highly promising two-year-old when the Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven ran out an impressive winner of the TAB Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Sires With Winners - Monday December 22

Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Apulia Unleashes Devastating Perth Cup Trial

Lightly raced five year old entire Apulia produced one of the best Perth Cup trials seen in years when he produced a finish Bernborough himself would have admired to take the weight for age G2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes at Ascot.

Cambridge Stud Looking Forwards to 2026 with Sword of State

Young Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State has landed another timely winning blow across the Tasman.

Sires With Winners - Saturday December 20

Here is the full list of 98 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Sires With Winners - Friday December 19

Here is the full list of 78 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Mega Maiden Bonus for Up-And-Comer Chilling Out (NZ)

A lucrative victory in Wednesday’s NZB Mega Maiden Series (1400m) at Ruakaka could be a stepping stone to bigger things for Chilling Out (NZ) (Savabeel).

J-Mac Headed to Bac to NZ for G1 Ride

No-one knows better than Lance O’Sullivan what it takes to win the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m), which is as good a recommendation as any around the engagement of James McDonald for Tomodachi in the Trentham Group One sprint.