Dozens of fillies have lined up for their shot at New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year glory throughout an exciting 2020-21 Series, but now only two remain with a chance of securing the coveted title in its final leg – Saturday’s $400,000 Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.
The first of those contenders is long-time Series leader Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel). Bought for $300,000 by David Ellis from the draft of Waikato Stud at Karaka 2019, the super-talented filly has had three starts in the NZB Filly of the Year Series for three wins – the Group Two Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Group Three McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m).
That trio of victories earned Amarelinha a clear lead on the Filly of the Year Series table with 22 points. If she collects any further points in Saturday’s Oaks – which is worth 12 points to the winner, 7 for second and 3.5 for third – Amarelinha will comfortably clinch the Filly of the Year title.
But if Amarelinha is unplaced in the Oaks, Needle and Thread (Makfi) could move past her with a victory at Trentham. Needle and Thread currently sits in third on the table with 13 points, just behind second-placed Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who has 15 points but is not running in the Oaks.
Bred and raced by Valachi Downs principal Kevin Hickman, Needle and Thread scored a fitting and dominant victory in the Group Two Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m) on New Year’s Day. She then placed behind Amarelinha in the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic and the Sunline Vase, and in the latter race, the margin between them was a mere nose.
Victory in the Oaks would lift Needle and Thread to 25 points, meaning Amarelinha would need to finish either second or third to remain ahead of her on the table.
While Amarelinha and Needle and Thread are the only two potential winners of the Filly of the Year title, there are many other quality contenders for Saturday’s Oaks.
Llanacord (NZ) (Contributer) has won her last two in a row including the Group Two Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m), while Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto) charged home late for a close second in that Hastings feature earlier this month.
Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Spine Tingle (NZ) (Super Easy) have both won at black-type level this season, while Slave to Love (NZ) (Savabeel), Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel), Dragon Queen (NZ) (Sweynesse), Canuhandleajandal (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) and Cheaperthandivorce (NZ) (Savabeel) have all been stakes-placed. In her most recent appearance, Il Affare also finished a gallant fourth in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m).
The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks will be run as Race 8 at Trentham on Saturday, with a start time of 4:55pm.
