8 Mar 2009
Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (12000m) in September.
The largely unsung
Ms Keeper (NZ) (
Keeper) threw her cap into the ring for the title of '
New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008/09 Southern Filly of the Year' on Saturday.
Scorching home down the outside, Ms Keeper (NZ) reeled in
Bellalini and
Bent in the dying stages of the
Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Oamaru, effectively assuring herself seven valuable series points by a ½ length margin.
Ms Keeper (NZ) now sits at the top of the table with Metropolitan, who took out the first of the four race series, the
Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (12000m) in September.
Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (12000m) in September.
Although a maidener heading into Saturday's Listed feature, the Peter & Dawn Williams-trained
Ms Keeper (NZ) had shown plenty of promise with four placings from her five outings.
Purchased for $20,000 by her owner AJ Stent at the 2007 Festival Yearling Sale,
Ms Keeper (NZ) has now banked NZ$37,850 in earnings.
Bred by VA Martin,
Ms Keeper (NZ) is by the proven Gr.1 sire
Keeper (AUS) (Danehill) and is out of
Hikutaia Special (NZ) (Sir Sian), a winner at 1200m and a dam of four winners from five to race.
Established to ensure a healthy domestic racing and breeding industry, the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Series will continue its 2008/09 renewal on April 4 with the running of the
Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Canterbury and will conclude 2 weeks later with the
Listed NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) at the same track.
Courtesy of NZ Thoroughbred Marketing