Banchee on NZB Filly of the Year Trail

Champion NZ 2YO Banchee heads the field for G3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings on Saturday.  The Hawke’s Bay event is the first race in the prestigious NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.

Banchee (Oratorio) is trained by John Sargent and is a half-sister to 2009-10 Filly of the Year Katie Lee.  She topped her juvenile season with a G1 win in the ARC Diamond Stakes (1200m).  

Katie Lee is trained by Graeme Rogerson and he will be represented by smart O’Reilly filly Dating on Saturday.  She has won three from four including the Listed Levin Ryder Stakes in July.  The Lisa Latta trained Zennista (Zenno Rob Roy) was runner-up to Dating at Levin and she will attempt to turn the tables on Saturday.

Smoulder (Traditionally) also won three races last season including the ARC Great Northern Foal Stakes in May.  Smoulder resumed with a fourth in the Listed Wanganui Fordell O’Leary’s Stakes and will clash with the winner Rememba Howe (Handsome Ransom) at Hastings.

Windsor Park sire Thorn Park will be represented by the promising fillies Magic Briar and Miss Thorn.  The latter was placed in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes in February.

Rounding out the field are Pins filly Sans Souci, Irish Jewel (Street Cry), Lol (General Nediym), Faro Rubino (Ruby’s Jester), Ma Belle Ami (Commands), Miss Marauder (Falkirk), Panthera (One Cool Cat) and Macavity (Keeper).

New Zealand Bloodstock will once again offer connections of the overall Series winner lucrative bonuses which will be kept at the same level as last year.  The winning owner will receive NZ$30,000 while the winning trainer and breeder will each take home NZ$10,000 apiece.