Valuable points are up for grabs in the NZB Southern Filly-of-the-Year Series at Riccarton on Saturday.  The Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) is the third leg of the four races that make up the Series.

Joint leader Annabel Rose (Pins) can take an outright lead after she won the second leg in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes at Wingatui on March 9.  She currently sits on 7 points equal with Emerald Queen (O’Reilly) who is absent from Saturday’s field.  The latter won the first leg in the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes.

Annabel Rose will be one of two runners for trainers John and Karen Parsons.  They will also saddle Keynote (Pentire) who finished third behind her stablemate in the NZB Insurance Stakes.

North Island based trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie have two runners – smart up-and-comer Adolay (Fast ‘N’ Famous) and North of Sunset (Red Ransom) who was a last-start fourth in the G3 Lowland Stakes (2100m).  Set Me Free (Ishiguru) also contested the Lowland Stakes but was unplaced after a tough run in front.

Trainers Kevin and Pam Hughes are also double-handed with Pamina (Keeper) and Champagne Katie (Darci Brahma).  The latter ran second in the second leg behind Annabel Rose.

Haunui Farm sire Iffraaj has last start winner Kisses engaged along with If I Can I Can who ran fourth in the G3 Desert Gold Stakes in January.

Coat du Roan (Any Suggestion) will make the trip south after contesting the G3 Sunline Stakes while Marmi (Lion Heart) will also travel south after finishing fourth in a good field at Tauranga.

Lightly raced filly Persia (Perfectly Ready) completes the field and will make her stakes debut after breaking her maiden last time out at Riccarton over 1400 metres.

The winner of the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes will earn 7 points in the Southern Filly of the Year Series with second earning 3 points and third 1 point.

View the current points table here:   http://www.nzb.co.nz/info/southern_filly.cfm