The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is an iconic event on the New Zealand calendar, bringing the country’s finest fillies together every year for almost half a century to battle for the prestigious and coveted title. Now it’s this generation’s time to shine.
Saturday’s $70,000 Group Three Hawke’s Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings is the opening leg of the 49th New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, which runs from early spring right through to the Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March.
This 2020-21 series has been expanded to 11 races, with the addition of the Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on October 24.
This year’s Gold Trail Stakes field is another line-up stacked with talent. Bonita Aurelia (NZ) (Sweynesse) was the standout performer in this group last season, winning the Group Three Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) and placing in the Group Two Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Taroni (NZ) (Showcasing) finished third in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in late January, while the likes of De La Terre (NZ) (Reliable Man) Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard), Miss Aotearoa (NZ) (Per Incanto), Sweet Anna (NZ) (Tavistock) and Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood) have been impressive winners in lower grades.
The Gold Trail Stakes is worth 6 points to the winner, with 3 for second and 1.5 for third. It has been a stepping stone to Filly of the Year Series glory for several fillies in the last 25 years. Sarwatch (NZ) (Jetball), Taatletail (NZ) (Faltaat) and Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy) all won the Gold Trail during their Filly of the Year-winning seasons, while Gold Trail placegetters such as Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), Katie Lee (Pins) and Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago) blossomed through the remainder of the season and went on to claim the title.
The Hawke’s Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes will be run as Race 8 at Hastings on Saturday with a start time of 3:15pm.
