The New Zealand Oaks at Trentham today could determine the outcome of the New Zealand Filly of the Year series.
The oaks is the third-last of the 10-race series run over a period of seven months.
Leading the series, for three-year-old fillies, is the Graeme Rogerson and Keith Hawtin-trained La Bella Dama with 19 points. Second is Elevenses on 18 points.
Should either horse win the oaks, and the other not gain any points, it would be well placed to take out the series.
The oaks, because it is a group one race, carries points of 12 for first, seven for second and 3 1/2 for third.
The last two races of the series are both group two events and each carries points of eight, four and two.
The series, sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock, carries a prize of $15,000 for the winner's owners and $5000 each for the winner's trainer and breeder.
The points standings are:-
La Bella Dama 19; Elevenses 18; Singalong 13; Star Satire 10; Diamond Cashel, Spring Rain 6; Flint Star 3-1/2; Butterscotch, Chimeara, Piper Star, Playful Fingers 3; Danasia 2; Honor Bound, Mine d'Or 1-1/2.
The two remaining races, after the oaks, are the $100,000 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 10 and the $100,000 Grosvenor Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on March 3.
Waikato-trained Elevenses has the omens on her side in the oaks today.
The first day of the cup carnival is being promoted as a ladies day and Elevenses could not be a more appropriate winner of the day's feature race.
The Star Way filly is raced by the Elevenses syndicate which comprises 11 women. At least eight of them are expected to be on track to cheer her on.
The syndicate includes co-trainer Debbie Sanders, who reports Elevenses had thrived since her second placing to La Bella Dama in the group two $50,000 Royal Stakes (2000m) for three-year-old fillies at Ellerslie on January 2.
"She did bang a leg during the race and was sore for a couple of days but she is fine now," Sanders said.
She added Elevenses would be better for her run in the Royal Stakes.
"It was her first over ground and she can only improve," she said.
"She didn't get the best of runs through them either."
Elevenses has emerged as one of the leading fillies this season after her upset victory in the One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.
She subsequently ran third in the group two $100,000 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on December 26 before finishing second in the Royal.
Sanders said Elevenses had tended to be a lazy filly but blinkers used for the first time at Riccarton had helped to spark her up.
Elevenses worked with fellow Oaks contender Gone at Te Awamutu on Thursday morning and Sanders said both had worked very well.
The 2400m journey of the oaks should suit Elevenses.
- NZPA
Racing: Oaks could determine filly of the year
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