Ellerslie will host the sixth leg of NZ Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series on New Year’s Day with the G2 NZ Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m).

The $100,000 event will see a number of three-year-olds backing up from the G2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic, on Boxing Day.

Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock) doubled up in the Eight Carat Classic after winning the G1 NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.  She leads the Series for trainer Peter Williams with 20 points and the 2000 metres of the Royal Stakes should hold little concern.

Also backing up from Boxing Day is the Graeme Rogerson trained Dowager Queen (Savabeel).  She was runner-up over 2000 metres when finishing second to the Bart Cummings trained Gliding in the Listed Ethereal Stakes in Melbourne.  

Rogerson also saddles up blueblood filly Joy’s Choice (Redoute’s Choice).  She had a tough trip in transit when unplaced in the G3 Eulogy Stakes and has been given no favours on Sunday after drawing out wide.

The Shaune Ritchie trained Zurella (Zabeel) was impressive when winning the Eulogy Stakes and has won three of her four starts.  She has improved with every start and, being by Zabeel, the extra ground looks tailor-made.

Chicharita (Towkay) and Our Famous Eve (Fast ‘n’ Famous) both come into the race off the back of winning performances at Ellerslie and Te Rapa respectively.

Postponed has Divine Spice and Poste Restante engaged and visiting Australian jockey Nash Rawiller will ride Lady Krovanh (Dehere) for trainer Don Sellwood.  She broke her maiden two at Matamata and ran second last time out at Counties.

The lightly raced Nineteen Forty (O’Reilly) and Glowing (Bachelor Duke) are other chances in the Royal Stakes which is scheduled to start at 4.25pm (NZ time) on January 1.