Racing: Naturo still dominates Guineas betting

Matamata filly Naturo remains a firm favourite for the first fillies' group one classic for the season, despite some good performances from rivals on Saturday.

Fillies won all three of the 3-year-old black type races in New Zealand.

At Ellerslie, Bonaichi took out the Bonecrusher Stakes and Imananabaa the Soliloquy Stakes, while Princess Coup won the Coupland Stakes in Ashburton.

All three winners had their prices shortened for the 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 11, but Naturo remains a firm $2 favourite following her effortless victory in the Highview Stakes at Hastings on September 23.

Princess Coup was the most impressive of Saturday's winners, coming from last on the turn.

"She had a wide draw so she was always going to go back but Chris [Johnson] knew he had the best horse in the race and never panicked," trainer Mark Walker said.

"She's going to need to improve further to beat some of the top northern fillies in the Guineas but she's a nice relaxed filly."

Princess Coup beat colts and geldings home in the Coupland Stakes, as did Bonaichi in the Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie.

Bonaichi, who was scratched from the fillies-only Soliloquy Stakes in favour of the Bonecrusher Stakes, got a soft trip in the trail in a slow race and sprinted quickly along the rails in the straight, easily holding out Do Me A Favour and favourite Magic Cape.

Imananabaa and Velvet And Satin gave Matamata trainer Jim Gibbs the quinella in the Soliloquy.

The biggest shortener from the Soliloquy was Whodat Cugat.

Having her first start, the Taranaki filly found the line well to finish third and is now a $10 chance for the Guineas.

Last Saturday's other listed race in New Zealand, the Mason 4-Year-Old Stakes, was another triumph for Walker, this time with Polish Princess.

The British-bred mare settled near the pace for jockey Noel Harris and was too strong at the line for Old Belvedere and Waikeepadacash.

Walker said the victory gave Polish Princess a valuable black-type win and her owners Windsor Park Stud could decide to retire her to stud.

- NZPA