Petagna makes Filly of the Year Series Splash Again

Last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi) carried the colours of Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, and the prominent owner has now also made a splash in the 2016-17 edition of the Series.

Nicoletta (NZ) (Savabeel) earned 6 points and moved into equal fifth place on the points table when she won the $70,000 Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.

An unlucky fifth in the Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, this time things went Nicoletta’s way.

After sitting in third place behind a slow pace, Nicoletta surged to the lead in the straight and fought gamely to beat the favourite Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma) by a short head. Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi) was third.

“She got out of the gates well today, which was a big bonus, and she got the soft run” said co-trainer Andrew Forsman.

“We’ve always thought she’s a real Oaks filly, so what she’s done over 1600 metres is encouraging.

Nicoletta was bred by Goodwood Stud, who offered her at the 2015 Select Sale. Petagna’s bloodstock manager Bruce Perry purchased her for $90,000.

Nicoletta has now had six starts for two wins, one placing and just over $50,000 in prizemoney.

The Desert Gold placegetters also picked up their first points in the Series, with Devise moving into equal 10th place with 3 points and Bonneval joining the bottom of the table with 1.5.

LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes and Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic winner Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) continues to top the table with 14 points, with gavelhouse.com 1000 Guineas winner La Diosa (NZ) (So You Think) second with 12 points.

The Series continues with the $100,000 Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 11. The race has already been confirmed as Nicoletta’s next target.