The first day of 2024 will add a new dimension to the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, moving beyond 1600 metres for the first time this season with the running of the $225,000 Group Two Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) at Pukekohe.
Five legs of the series have so far been run between September and December, over distances ranging from 1200 to 1600 metres. Superstar filly Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) currently tops the table with 20 points, followed by Impendabelle (Impending) on 15 and Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) on 8.
Still Bangon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) share fourth spot on the table with 6 points each. The others who have earned points so far are Tulsi (The Autumn Sun) with 5.5, Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) and Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto) with 3 apiece, and Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Oneira (NZ) (Contributer) on 2 and 1.5 respectively.
Formerly known as the Royal Stakes, Monday’s sixth leg of the series has this year been renamed in honour of a titan of the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry – the late, great Sir Patrick Hogan. The prestigious race is worth 8 points to the winner, with 4 for second and 2 for third, but it carries even greater significance as a gauge to fillies’ staying prospects through the longer-distance races that dominate the second half of the Filly of the Year Series.
Still Bangon and My Lips Are Sealed are the only fillies in the field who head into the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes with points already to their name. They finished first and second in a desperately close finish to the Group Three Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on December 16, earning 6 and 3 points respectively.
Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir) and About Time (NZ) (American Pharoah) are the other two runners in the line-up who have already proven themselves at black-type level. Livid Sky finished third in the Group Three Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and fourth in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Boxing Day, while About Time was a third placegetter in the Listed Trevor and Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m) at Te Rapa earlier this month.
The Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes will be run as Race 5 at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day, with a scheduled start time of 2.30pm.
