The Group 3 $70,000 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) will see fillies battle out the eighth leg of New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year Series on Saturday at Hawke's Bay.
Saturday's field has 13 fillies looking to collect points towards being named NZB's Filly of the Year this season at the conclusion of the 10 race Series. The winning filly will receive 6 points towards the Series, second place will collect 3 points and third place collects 1.5 points.
Carrying the number one saddle cloth, and sitting in second place on the
Series leaderboard with 18 points, is Platinum Witness (California
Dane). An experienced filly in the Series, Platinum Witness' wins include the
Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas, and finished fourth in her last start in the Group 2
Sir Tristram Fillies Classic over 2000m. Ridden by Darryl Bradley, she will
start from barrier 13 for trainer Lisa Latta.
Looking to earn further points after placing third in the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes is Exquisite Jewel (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn). Trained by Sue Walsh and Bruce Gregory, she has won three races from her ten starts and will start from barrier 10 for jockey Robert Hannam.
Stepping up to 2100m for the first time is the Robert Patterson trained Choice (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), winner of the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes in December. A winner of two of her nine starts with a further four placings, the Mastercraftsman filly will start from barrier 2, ridden by Jonathon Parkes.
With just three starts under her belt is Massofdash (NZ) (Align), the Jim Collett trained filly was a runner-up on debut and winner of her last two starts. The Align filly will have her first try at a staying distance from barrier 6 with Cameron Lammas riding.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained Pipi Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) enters the race unbeaten as a three-year-old. Having had just three starts, the daughter of Savabeel has won her last two starts at distances up to 1600m at Hawke's Bay and Te Rapa. Jonathan Riddell takes the ride on her, starting from barrier 8.
Another Savabeel filly, Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel), is stepping up to stakes company for the first time for trainer Roydon Bergerson. Debuting as a three-year-old in October, Savaria broke her maiden status at her second start and has placed in a further two races. Hayden Tinsley takes the mount on Savaria from barrier 11.
Last start winner Dream Run (NZ) (Pins) won on debut as a two-year-old and has now had six starts for two wins. Trained in Matamata by Paul and Kris Shailer, she will start from barrier 9, ridden by Kelly Myers.
The Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott stable have two runners in the race, Suffire (NZ) (Sufficient) and Mary Quant (NZ) (O'Reilly). Suffire has won her last two starts at 1600m, with a total of seven races since her first raceday appearance at the start of the season. Patrick Holmes will ride her from barrier 7.
Mary Quant's last race saw her break her maiden status over 2000m. Unplaced in just two of her seven starts, she will begin from barrier 3 with Lisa Allpress riding.
Still a maiden is Aotearower (NZ) (Shamardal), who will be looking to go one better after running second at her last three starts. Ridden by Michael McNab , Aotearower will start from barrier 1 for trainers Ken and Bev Kelso.
Another maiden runner, Tasha Aimee (Pins), has finished second twice, three starts ago over 2100m and again at her last start at Tauranga. Trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, Shannon Doyle will ride the Pins filly from barrier 5.
The Karen Fursdon trained Hayley Ann (NZ) (Keeper) has started in four races since debuting in December, her best finishes being two thirds, both at Matamata, including her last start. Hayley Ann will start from barrier 4 with Samantha Wynne riding.
Rounding out the field is Avatrix (NZ) (Cecconi) for trainer Tony Dravitzki. Ridden by Kane Smith, the daughter of Cecconi will start from barrier 12.
Leading the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel) with 20 points, Platinum Witness is currently second on 18 points and in third place is Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute's Choice) on 12 points.
To view the full field for the eighth leg of the Series, click here.
