The NZ Mercedes Broodmare of the Year award has been whittled down to four candidates for the Mercedes Racing Awards on September 3  – Gin Player (Defensive Play), Miss Jessie Jay (Spectucular Phantom), Pentamerous (Pentire) and Triassic (Tights).

The Broodmare Award is determined by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA) and encompasses an important change in its 2010 criteria.  In recognition of the number of in-foal New Zealand mares sent across the Tasman to be mated with Australian sires, and vice versa, the criteria was expanded a year ago to include NZ-conceived progeny as well.

The change has had a major implication on the 2010 finalists selected.  “The award is limited to four finalists and two of the finalists this year are included because of their NZ-conceived but Australia born progeny,” said NZTBA’s Chief Executive, Michael Martin.

“Miss Jessie Jay produced Katie Lee in Australia, when there to visit Oratorio (Ire).  She then returned to New Zealand and the Australian-conceived foal she produced was the NZ-bred filly Banchee.

“Pentamerous is in the same boat.  She was covered by High Chaparral in New Zealand in 2005, but she actually foaled in Australia and that foal was Shoot Out”.

2010 Mercedes Broodmare of the Year Finalists

GIN PLAYER   (Defensive Play)
Zarita (NZ) – Pentire mare won the G2 winner of the MVRC W H Stocks Stakes & MVRC Sunline Stakes
Joy And Fun (NZ) – Cullen gelding won the G3 Meydan Al Quoz Sprint

MISS JESSIE JAY  (Spectacular Phantom)
Katie Lee (Aus) – Pins filly won the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas & NZ 1000 Guineas
Banchee (NZ)  – Oratorio filly won the G1 ARC Diamond Stakes and G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes

PENTAMEROUS  (Pentire)
Shoot Out (Aus) – High Chaparral colt won the G1 Australian Derby & G1 AJC Randwick Guineas

TRIASSIC  (Tights)
So You Think (NZ) – High Chaparral colt won the G1 MVRC WS Cox Plate