Southern Filly Series Heats Up in NZB Airfreight Stakes

Media Release - Thursday April 13

The next two Saturdays are set to make all the difference in the 2022-23 New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series, with the all-important final two legs being staged in quick succession at Riccarton Park – starting with this weekend’s $65,000 Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m).

The first and second legs of the series – the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) – had different fillies filling all of the placings, creating a logjam on the points table.

Romancing the Moon

Canterbury Belle Stakes winner One Kiss (NZ) (Tivaci) and NZB Insurance Stakes winner Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) share top spot with 7 points each. Perfectly Suited (NZ) (Savile Row) and Betty Spaghetti (Stratum Star) have 4 points apiece, while Kikimora (NZ) (Shamexpress) and Miss Dunsford (Dissident) have each picked up 2 points.

Like each of the other three legs of the series, this Saturday’s NZB Airfreight Stakes is worth 7 points for the winner, with 4 for second and 2 for third.

NZB Insurance Stakes placegetters Betty Spaghetti and Miss Dunsford are both back this weekend, giving them the opportunity to move to the top of the points table with a victory.

Advertisement

But Saturday’s field also features a number of newcomers to the series, many of whom bring strong credentials.

The blue-blooded Luella Cristina is by Snitzel out of the multiple Group One winner Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), and the Stephen Marsh-trained filly lived up to that family reputation with a last-start third placing in the Group One Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham.

Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer) ventures down from the North Island with a Listed victory under her belt, while Maryweka (NZ) (Time Test), Stolen Decree (NZ) (War Decree), Derryaire (NZ) (Derryn) and (NZ) (Burgundy) were all impressive last-start winners.

The NZB Airfreight Stakes will be run as Race 6 at Riccarton Park on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 3.07pm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Begg Bred Siblings Make for a Winning Double
Former Group I jockey and now emerging country trainer Danny Beasley produced his first winning double at Wagga on Monday and he did it with a pair of first time winning siblings that are both bred and raced by the legendary Neville Begg.
Quantity and quality in Rich Hill Stud’s Online Breeding Stock Sale draft
Rich Hill Stud is a prominent player in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, offering more than 10 percent of the 87-lot catalogue.
New Juvenile Stakes-Winner Wootton Bassett
A two year-old Wootton Bassett  colt bred to stay, Daytona made it two wins as many starts when scoring a dominant win in the Listed Pat Smullen Stakes (1m) at Naas in Ireland overnight.
NZB Counts Down to 100th National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026, set to take place at NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre from 25 – 29 January, will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand.   
Sires With Winners - Monday July 7
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Resolute Racing Win G1 Prix Jean Prat – Wootton Bassett Sire Power
A crackerjack meeting at Deauville in France overnight highlighted the power of Wootton Bassett (GB), who sired yet another new two year-old stakes-winner and he also featured as the grand-sire of Woodshauna, who captured the Group I Prix Jean Prat (1400m) for US based Resolute Racing.
Debut Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Set to shuttle to Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (FR) had an impressive debut winner overnight in the UK with Cape Ashizuri opening his account in style.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 4
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Te Akau Stars Headed to Cranbourne
Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose.
Public Attention Sold to Hong Kong
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Public Attention will continue his racing career in Hong Kong following his recent sale.