Imelda Mary (NZ) Defends Filly of the Year Series Lead in Lowland

With two Group 2 wins and 16 points already to her name, Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax) will attempt to maintain her New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series lead in Wednesday's eighth leg – the $100,000 Group 2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.

Purchased for just $3,500 at the 2017 Festival Sale at Karaka, Imelda Mary has won the $100,000 Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic (2000m). She has earned $168,850 for Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis and his co-owners Chris Delamore and Ross Robertson.

Her 16 points give her a four-point lead in the Filly of the Year Series.

Second-placed Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) is not in Wednesday's race, but Queen Of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel) and Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto) are breathing down the table-topper's neck. They have each earned 10 points so far, and the 8 points available to Wednesday's winner would be enough to give either of them the lead if Imelda Mary is unplaced.

Adding further interest to the field, Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man) and Jakkalbomb (NZ) (Jakkalberry) are recent black-type placegetters looking to make further progress up the Filly of the Year Series leaderboard.

The Lowland Stakes will be run as Race 7 on Wednesday with a start time of 5:56pm.