breednet.com.au

NZB Filly of the Year Frontrunner Faces Group One Test

Media Release - Friday Nov 6

Asturia (NZ) (Almanzor) has wasted little time in stamping herself as an early standout in the 2026-27 NZB Filly of the Year Series, and Saturday’s $600,000 Group One Barneswood Farm 54th New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton gives her the chance to confirm that superiority.

Almanzor (Fr) filly Astoria is the front runner - Race Images

One of only two Group One races in the 11-race series, the Guineas is worth 12 points to the winner, with 7 points for second and 3.5 for third.

Asturia heads the NZB Filly of the Year Series standings with 8 points, with the next three fillies on the table – Liguria (NZ) (Snitzel) with 7 points, and Hawea (Hellbent) and Pounce (NZ) (Almanzor) with 6 each – all absent from the 1000 Guineas line-up.

The other runners in the 1000 Guineas who already have points to their name are Silhouette (NZ) (Armory) with 3 points, Fiamma (NZ) (Pinatubo) with 2 points and Dashing Dixie (NZ) (Alabama Express) with 1.5 points.

A smart maiden winner and unlucky Group Two Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) placegetter in her first two starts, Asturia joined the NZB Filly of the Year Series when she made her third career start in last month’s Group Two Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. She swept to a super-impressive win, moving straight to the top of the NZB Filly of the Year Series leaderboard as well as taking clear favouritism for the 1000 Guineas.

Advertisement

Significantly, seven of the last eight 1000 Guineas winners have come through the Soliloquy Stakes, including three who have won both races – Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) in 2018, Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in 2022 and Well Written (Written Tycoon) in 2025.

But, as usual, the field for the prestigious New Zealand 1000 Guineas has no shortage of credentials outside of the favourite. All but one of the 15 runners have been race winners, with maiden filly Grocer’s Girl (NZ) (Tarzino) being stakes-placed.

There are nine black-type placegetters in the line-up, including Sweetest Thing (NZ) (Hello Youmzain), who was runner-up in the Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) as a two-year-old last season.

The Barneswood Farm 54th New Zealand 1000 Guineas will be run as Race 10 at Riccarton on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 4.39pm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Darley Announce 2027 European Fees -Night of Thunder Soars to €450,000
It will be Dubawi central at Darley in 2027 with the legendary 24YO sire priced at £350,000, but the roster is topped by his champion son Night of Thunder at €450,000 and there are three more G1 winning sons or grand-sons of Dubawi also added to a power packed roster.
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Super Seth 3YO Leads Waller First Four in $100,000 Super Maiden
The $100,000 Super Maiden (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday delivered a first four for the Chris Waller stable with victory going to the well backed favourite Quarterback, who has a half-brother to be offered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale next week.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Astoria proves too good in Spring Stakes
Astoria came from last to win Friday’s Group III Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
Unraced Brother to G2 Winner Hope in Your Heart Tops MM Digital
Unraced three-year-old Dundeel gelding Putcee (Lot 4) topped the Magic Millions Digital (6-11 Nov) Sale which concluded this afternoon, selling for $30,000 to Liam Ruddy after 38 bids.