A capacity Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes field of three‑year‑old fillies kicks off a $1.5 million Sires’ Stakes Autumn season, beginning this week in Auckland and rolling through — and beyond — the Northern Lights Carnival.
A capacity Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes field of three‑year‑old fillies kicks off a $1.5 million Sires’ Stakes Autumn season, beginning this week in Auckland and rolling through — and beyond — the Northern Lights Carnival.
NZ Sires' Stakes Board CEO Martin Pierson is pleased to see twelve fillies from stables nationwide converge on Alexandra Park for what he expects to be a competitive Caduceus Club 3YO Fillies Ladyship Stakes to open the new harness racing year.
“It’s the biggest field on a big night, and judging by the form these fillies have shown over the last month in their various prep races, we’re in for a good race.”
The favoured runner is last year’s Sires' Stakes two‑year‑old champion All Of Me, who has landed a perfect possie on the mobile gate (3). After her close second last week from a wide draw (7) behind race rival Alecto — who this time starts from the second row (9) — the blueblood looks the hardest to beat on paper and in the eyes of most punters.
If she prevails, it’ll be déjà vu for breeders Mary and Paul Kenny, who won this race last year with her full sister Beside Me, and the year before with close relative All You Need Is Me.
Next Gen reinsman Carter Dalgety is also chasing the elusive hat‑trick of stakes race victories and is happy to compare this year’s representative with All You Need Is Me in terms of racing style and raw ability.
“They’re both grouse staying fillies with big motors and an in‑built will to keep running, whereas Beside Me is them plus ‘beast mode’ when she’s on,” Carter says, clearly enthused about one of his favourites.
The young gun hoop is excited about the natural improvement expected from All Of Me after last week’s fitness run which was her first attempt at clockwise racing — often a trick for youngsters in Auckland.
“She wasn’t super comfortable running off the right leg last week and was having a look at a few things out there, so we’ve made a couple of gear and steering adjustments for Friday,” Dalgety explains, noting that some blinds have been added for focus and to encourage early aggression if needed to secure that third win in a row.
The ‘Me’ family’s possible four‑peat in this race traces back to champion filly Adore Me, who won by almost six lengths in 2012.
All Of Me isn’t the only visitor stabled in the big smoke for the $70,000 Group 2 feature. Half a dozen others are bunking down in Auckland, including Miki’s Deal from Ryal Bush, who has drawn the short straw on the track too (8) for her keen Southland connections.
Pierson sympathises with the team after their long trip but wouldn’t be surprised if the in‑form stable takes home some prize money.
“Brett Gray always seems to have a nice filly around him, and she coasted a 1.53 mile to win easily last time, prompting this trip. With some good fortune in transit, you never know.”
Miki’s Deal, bred and owned by Martyn Fairbairn, already boasts Group 2 success 'on the road' at Addington as a two‑year‑old, winning the Bionic Chance Bracelet last May.
All twelve fillies are looking for form and fitness ahead of another major stakes race next week — the NZB Standardbred Harness Million.
BONUS BOOST FOR CADUCEUS SERIES
Pierson is also excited about a freshly minted bonus incentive for fillies subscribed to the Caduceus Club Series (27) and beyond.
“There are nine races designated as bonus races this year — three each in the north, south, and Canterbury — where $7000 will be paid to the owners of the winning filly in each nominated race, provided she is eligible for Series 27.”
Each filly can win one bonus, but all may contest any number of the nine races, beginning at Addington on March 27.
The bonus payments are locked in for the next three years for Caduceus Club‑nominated fillies, continuing the focus on increased participation in the Auckland Trotting Club series, where the three‑year‑old race has been aligned with the Ladyship Stakes or Peter Breckon Memorial since 2009.
The Caduceus Club Three‑Year‑Old Fillies Ladyship Stakes (Group 2)
Friday, March 13, 6.58 PM
Alexandra Park, Auckland
The feature card also includes the rematch of in‑form three‑year‑old colts and geldings in the Group 2 Alabar Classic. The trifecta from November’s Woodlands Sires’ Stakes Final meet again for the first time since, with Jumal and Allamerican Player winning their lead‑up races, while Cup Day winner Freeze Frame was a close second among older horses here last week.
