Top of the Table Clash in Desert Gold

Media Release - Friday January 17

The two fillies at the head of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series points table will go head to head in Saturday’s sixth leg, the $70,000 Group Three New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) holds the top spot with 15 points, while Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) sits in second place.

LoireLoire has the upper hand in the high-class pair’s previous meetings. When they met in the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m), Loire finished third and Jennifer Eccles was fourth.

They finished first and second in the Group One gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, with Loire beating Jennifer Eccles by a long neck. The third placegetter was Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca), who has subsequently won at Group One level.

While Loire has been off the scene since that 1000 Guineas, Jennifer Eccles has subsequently enhanced her reputation with a dominant victory in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The runner-up in that race, Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), later won the Group Two Royal Stakes (2000m).

The stage is now set for a thrilling rematch between two of the stars of what looks like an exceptional group of fillies.

Advertisement

But they may not get it all their own way. Showbeel (NZ) (Savabeel) has 1.5 Filly of the Year Series points to her name after a strong placing in last month’s Group Three Eulogy Stakes (1600m), while Queen Kamada (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) was narrowly beaten last start by the top-class Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel).  

Grand De Flora (NZ) (Savabeel) is a daughter of multiple Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), and she produced an eye-catching finish for fifth last start in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m).

The New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes is worth 6 points to the winner, with 3 points for second and 1.5 for third.

The Desert Gold Stakes will be run as Race 5 on Saturday with a start time of 2:40pm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.