Saturday's Eulogy Stakes Next Filly Series Fixture

Three-year-old Keeper filly Insouciant (Keeper x Loudenne by Palace Music) will be looking to strengthen her hold on the coveted New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series tomorrow when she lines up with twelve other hopefuls in the Group 3 Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni.

Heading the field for the fourth instalment of the prestigious ten-race Series, the Mark Walker trained Insouciant took the lead in the Series in her last start when she produced an all-the-way victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas (1600m). In doing so she became the first Group 1 winner for her sire Keeper and was quickly joined by fellow Series contender Keepa Cruisin when she won the Group 1 Levin Classic on 29 November.

Insouciant is raced by her breeders Peter and Philip Vela of Pencarrow Stud and will be ridden by their retained rider Michael Walker.

Roger James has Bruce Herd booked to ride his Listed ARC Champagne Stakes winner Valpolicella (Red Ransom x Riesling by Last Tycoon). In winning that race as a two-year-old she beat recent Group 1 VRC Derby winner Kibbutz. In her last start, the Listed Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie, she was fourth behind Lovetrista.

Looking to add to her points tally of 1.5 after coming third in the first race of the Series, the Group 3 Highview Stakes, is Royal Taat (Faltaat x Royal Wink by Royal Academy). She is raced by her breeder Jim Collett and business partners John Collinson and Costa Fernandis. Collett will also ride the filly on the day.

An eye-catching fourth behind Insouciant in the Guineas was Robert Priscott's runner Lady Lucille (Istidaad x Leave Me Lucille by Dehere). She lines up on Saturday with the services of crack apprentice Vanessa Johnston from barrier 11.

Last start winner at Matamata, Sing Song Girl (Generous x Shanghai Girl by Distant Relative) will be having her sixth start for the Moroney Stable and will be ridden by Thomas Russell.

From the Zimmerman stable in Otaki is the last start winner Barinka (Shinko King x Hay Barlu by Hey Baba Riba), who will be having her fourth race-day start.

Also off the back of a last start win is the Wayne and Vanessa Hillis trained Pretty Vegas (Viking Ruler x Straight Show by Straight Strike).

Somethymesoon (Postponed x Cardamom by Volksraad), a full-sister to the talented Post Thyme who now races from the Freedman Stable in Rye, will start from barrier seven under the guidance of Kate Hercock. She is trained at Byerley Park by Leanne Bertling to win her first two of four career starts to date.

Out of her depth in the Group 1 Levin Classic in her last start, True Intentions (Riviera x Intentional by Zamindar) impressed in her start prior to that when second to Borrack at on her home track at Awapuni. She is trained by Gary Vile and will be ridden by Robbie Hannam.

Fellow Awapuni runner Cindylotz (Howbaddouwantit x Cinders by Green Perfume) is unbeaten in her last two outings for trainer Mike Breslin. He has booked Jonathan Parkes for Saturday's assignment, who has ridden her in her five starts to date including her two victories.

Jacaila (Spectatorial x Lady Starlet by Crested Wave), also racing on her home track, will take the line for Lisa Latta. Although she's yet to break maiden ranks Jacaila has fought on well to finish off her races nicely and was rewarded with a creditable third in her last start at Wanganui.

Patrick Bell is booked to ride the lightly tried Wanabi (Rossini x Citi Babe by Citidancer). The Robert Patterson trained filly won impressively on debut at Wanganui in September and was fifth behind Dolce Vita on 1 December at Hawera.

The Eulogy carries six Filly of the Year Series points for the winner, three for second and one-and-a-half for third. The next race in the Series is the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The current points table is as follows:

Horse Points
Insouciant (Keeper x Loudenne) 12
Keepa Cruisin (Keeper x Just Cruising) 9
Lovetrista (Rock of Gibraltar x Tristalove) 7.5
Diamond Deck (Octagonal x Miss Trump) 6
Special Mission (Towkay x Te Akau Trek) 3
Royal Taat (Faltaat x Royal Wink) 1.5
Boundless (Van Nistelrooy x Nothing Less) 1