The 47th NZB Filly of the Year Series begins at Hastings on Saturday with the $70,000 Group 3 Hawke's Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).
The prestigious Series is made up of 10 Group races, over distances ranging from 1200 to 2400 metres, between September and March.
The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year winner immediately becomes a highly valuable breeding proposition and earns her connections $50,000 in bonus cheques including $10,000 for her breeder, $10,000 for her trainer and $30,000 for her owner.
The Filly of the Year Series trophy and bonus cheques are presented to the winning connections at the Horse of the Year Awards.
The Gold Trail Stakes is the shortest race of the Series, but has often provided an early glimpse of outstanding talent. It was won last year by the Filly of the Year,Dijon Bleu(NZ) (Burgundy), while the honour roll also features Group 1 winners such asSnap(NZ) (Kingdom Bay),Taatletail(NZ) (Faltaat),Juice(NZ) (Bertolini),Anabandana(Anabaa),Bounding(Lonhro) andO'Marilyn(NZ) (O'Reilly).
This year's field is headed by the champion two-year-old of last season,Avantage(Fastnet Rock). Bought for $210,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale, Avantage has won five of her six starts including the Karaka Million (1200m) and the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m).
Local fillyXpression(NZ) (Showcasing) won the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) last season and resumed with a stylish win at Taupo last month.
The winner of the Gold Trail Stakes will receive 6 Filly of the Year Series points, with 3 for second and 1.5 for third.
The Gold Trail Stakes will be run as Race 5 on Saturday with a start time of 2.42pm.
Saturday's $50,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton Park marks the beginning of the 19th New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series.
The Series has been held since the 2000-01 season and covers four Listed races over 1200, 1400, 1600 and 2000 metres.
The Canterbury Belle, which has been won by top-class fillies such as the Group 1 winnersTartan Tights(NZ) (Tights),Dorabella(NZ) (Postponed) andLa Diosa(NZ) (So You Think), has drawn another quality field this year.
Emily Margaret(NZ) (Pins) is held in high regard and scored a powerful come-from-behind win at Riccarton Park two weeks ago. Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has headed south with the talented filliesWekaforce(NZ) (Showcasing) andLuvlucy(NZ) (Sweet Orange).
The winner of the Canterbury Belle Stakes will receive 7 Southern Filly Series points, with 4 for second and 2 for third.
The New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes will be run as Race 9 on Saturday with a start time of 4.09pm.
