The early stages of the 2022-23 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series have propelled undefeated superstar Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) into a clear and undisputed lead over her generation, but only 2 points separates five talented fillies who sit between third and seventh on the points table.
The fourth leg of the series is Saturday’s $85,000 Group Three LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni, which is worth 6 points to the winner, with 3 points for second and 1.5 for third. All of the 11 fillies in the Eulogy Stakes field are making their Filly of the Year Series debut on Saturday, and one of them will immediately move into third on the points table – an ideal start to their bid for the coveted title and $50,000 in bonus cheques.
Legarto’s spectacular come-from-behind romps in the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) have earned her a commanding early lead with 18 points, while Best Seller (NZ) (Wrote) has picked up 13 points through a win in the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and a second placing in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
The other five fillies on the points table have all been minor placegetters through the first three legs. Blue Solitaire (NZ) (Almanzor) currently heads that group with 3.5 points, while Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) and Sans Doute (Not A Single Doubt) have 3 each. Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) and Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel) have both earned 1.5 points so far.
The Eulogy Stakes field features several fillies with strong credentials to take up their own positions on that points table. Sophmaze (NZ) (Derryn) is already a Listed winner, having captured the Castletown Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old, while Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) has placed at Group Three level and all of the other nine contenders have won races this season.
The LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes will be run as Race 8 at Awapuni on Saturday, with a start time of 4.34pm.
