Racing: Fillies to turn heads at Karaka

Rick Williams is looking for a rugged week to suddenly get better today.

The Oaks Stud, which he manages, had the worst possible luck when outstanding filly Seachange had to be scratched from Saturday's $60,000 Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham because of a stone bruise.

Today The Oaks will be looking to pick up huge money for two of the 20-odd yearlings it will put through the premier session of New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka yearling sale.

The Zabeel-A Goodlookin Broad filly and the Stravinsky-Wildn' Sensuous filly are two who will turn heads in the Karaka ring.

"We hope Seachange will be resuming work Tuesday morning - the vet is looking at her tomorrow."

Williams said the New Zealand Bloodstock Oaks at Trentham is still the aim, the only difference now being that her next start will be a 1600m 3-year-old race at Te Rapa rather than the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) the same day.

"If we had any further delay, we would have to flag the Oaks and look at races in Australia for her."

The hiccup is frustrating for Williams, owner Dick Karreman and trainer Ralph Manning.

"Her work on Tuesday was stunning - she has improved again since winning at Woodville.

"She's starting to get scary."

Meanwhile, Williams has three intense days at Karaka to focus on before the other two grades of the sale.

Last January's premier session average was $137,395, up on the 2004 average of $111,955, and was significantly aided by the presence of 20 of the last crop of super-sire Danehill.

The 2005 median rose to $90,000 from $72,500.

Among the lots worth close attention today are:

* Lot 59: Bay filly by Zabeel from Silk Slipper. Out of a Woodman half-sister to successful sires Umatilla and Hurricane Sky as well as Shantha's Choice, dam of Redoute's Choice and Platinum Scissors.

* Lot 62: Bay colt by Zabeel from Singalong. The second foal of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year, placed in the New Zealand Oaks and 1000 Guineas.

* Lot 156: Chestnut colt by Rock Of Gibraltar from Wooden Melody. Out of a threequarter sister to Taimana and from the famous Eight Carat family.

* Lot 175: Bay filly by Zabeel from A Goodlookin Broad. Half sister to top 3-year-old Pure Theatre from an imported mare. Mike Dillon