The Sires’ Stakes Season returns with a double‑header of fillies’ features.How do the line ups look for the second half!
The second half of the Sires’ Stakes Season begins with a double‑header of fillies’ features — and both races promise fresh storylines, new talent, and a few familiar powerhouse stables ready to stamp their mark early.
Sires’ Stakes CEO Martin Pierson says the season’s restart brings two very different but equally exciting fields.
“It’s a short field for the Nevele R Fillies Series opener after a few dropped out of nominations but it’s loaded with talent coming up from down south! A similar outcome might be on the cards when ‘Duchess Of Kent’ landed in Canterbury and laid down the law last year!”
A compact but classy group of southern and Canterbury fillies assemble for the first Nevele R heat of the season. Several arrive with strong pedigrees, others with raw talent, and a few with quietly building reputations.
1. Jennifer Robyn (Lather Up) Speedy maiden filly with the pole position — a big assist for the Pierson team. Gate speed gives her a genuine chance to control her own destiny.
2. Nansana (Vincent) A deserved last‑start winner who showed grit and staying power. That reads well at Nevele R level.
3. Cheer Up N Dance (Always B Miki) The latest from the Kinzett “up n dance” production line. They rarely misstep — and this filly looks another with natural ability.
4. Mattie Nevin (Downbytheseaside) Half‑sister to the famous Francent, and carries that family depth. Still learning but has upside.
5. Queen Lizzy (Captaintrecherous) Royally bred and shaping as a genuine high‑level contender. Her prep runs show more improvement this time.
6. Stranger Things (Tall Dark Stranger) A big campaign ahead? Nothing peculiar about that for the Price breeding barn.
7. Song Of Seas (Downbytheseaside) Her dam won the Southland Oaks — and the motor has absolutely been passed down. Still ironing out the handling, but when it all she clicks, look out!
“As you’d expect the ‘pro-stables’ have their charges ready for stakes racing right off the bat. We’re rapt to see 11 Two-Year-Old fillies fronting up in this Dunstan Horsefeeds series opener in the north. There’s a great cross section of connections too — homebred and owned, yearling sales purchases, big syndicates, familiar faces — it’s a perfect start really.”
A deep and diverse field of 11 two‑year‑old fillies kicks off the Dunstan Horsefeeds Fillies Series. The mix of homebreds, sales purchases, syndicate runners, and big‑name stables makes this a fascinating opener.
1. Lady Di (Captaintrecherous) A royally bred “keeper” for the Whitelocks. Winner already with a strong foundation.
2. Pebbles (Always B Miki) Multiple trial winner for Barry and Scotty — and Scotty takes the reins!
3. Seaside Elegance (Downbytheseaside) Perfect at trials before striking a roadblock on debut. Watch for a bounce back.
4. Lathered In Love (Lather Up) Homebred for Kelly Blackmore and held her own on debut. Should improve through the series.
5. Belle Biddy (Bettor’s Delight) A well‑bred filly with a big ownership group behind her and that Herlihy polish.
6. Daisy Bay (Downbytheseaside) A ‘Young Gun’ series winner returning for the Diamond Racing sales syndicate. Celestial Sea 26 point 0?
7. Tiare Magic (Captain Crunch) Multi‑syndicate filly and half‑sister to another stakes series contender Always B Magic.
8. Legally Blonde (Always B Miki) Half‑sister to the classy Alta Maestro. Does that make a compelling case?
9. As One Wishes (Bettor’s Wish) – Might be stable second hope this time but shows enough talent to have some with luck.
10. Seaside Legacy (Downbytheseaside) Breckon Farm filly who won slickly (1.57) on debut. Serious players all round here.
11. Missy Lincoln (Bettor’s Delight) Comes from a family of winners and rarely missed the frame so far.
A must watch first Friday Night of the stakes season then with the second conditioned heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series scheduled next for Ashburton on Sunday August 30th.
