Table-topper Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) is now beyond their reach, but a number of up-and-comers will attempt to make some late impact in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series when they run in Saturday’s ninth leg – the $70,000 Group Three McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie.
Bergamot (NZ) (Sweet Orange) is the only runner in the field who already features on the Filly of the Year table, collecting 4 points with a second placing in the Group Two Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
That puts her well below Jennifer Eccles, who moved to 32.5 with her victory in Wednesday’s Group Two Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.
But the Sunline Vase is worth a valuable 6 points to the winner, and with 12 points available in the Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham two weeks later, it could serve as a springboard to a prominent finish on the Filly of the Year Series table.
Seven Seas (NZ) (Roc de Cambes) has won both of her last two starts over staying trips, including the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth.
Meghan (NZ) (So You Think) has a similar profile, striking winning form after stretching beyond 1600 metres. She has won her last two starts over 2000 and 2100 metres.
Pineapple Girl (Olympic Glory) adds interest, having won at Sale in Australia before crossing the Tasman and finishing fourth in the Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) on her New Zealand debut.
The McKee Family Sunline Vase will be run as Race 6 at Ellerslie on Saturday, with a start time of 3:20pm.
View the full leaderboard online here.
