With the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) moving five weeks earlier to February this year, summer races over 2000 metres have taken on greater importance in the NZB Filly of the Year Series – starting with the $270,000 Group Two Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

A foal that was in the running for Breednet Favourite Foal of 2009 and is the one and only horse in Australia by infamous Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem has spawned a family that is becoming commercial gold.