Hello It’s Me (NZ) Stars in Royal Stakes

Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy) remains at the top of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series table after Monday’s $100,000 Group 2 Stella Artois Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, which was powerfully won by the Ruakaka filly Hello It’s Me (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

The Lisa Latta-trained Dijon Bleu has earned 16 points from winning the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and placing in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m).

Dijon Bleu did not contest the Royal Stakes, and her Series lead depended on Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars). She won the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) last week to move to 9.5 points, within striking distance if she could take the 8 points on offer to the Royal Stakes winner.

Contessa Vanessa surged to the lead at the top of the straight in what looked like a winning move, but Hello It’s Me came down the outside of the track and sailed past to beat her by a length and a quarter.

“There’s always been the class there, but we did have a tiny concern whether she was ready for the race,” co-trainer Chris Gibbs said. “But the way she ran it out, she was impressive.”

Hello It’s Me was bred by Bromley Bloodstock Ltd and is out of the O’Reilly mare Owhata Princess (NZ). She was bought for $28,000 at the 2016 Select Sale at Karaka by Gibbs’ training partner Donna Logan, who shares ownership with GS Bloodstock Ltd, S Mulcahy, P Shadbolt, D & R Creed.

Hello It’s Me has now had five starts for two wins, one placing and $70,000 in prizemoney.

The Royal Stakes victory earned Hello It’s Me 8 points and fourth place on the table. Dijon Bleu remains on top, with Contessa Vanessa now second with 13.5. New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel) is third with 12.

The Series continues later this month with the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on January 20.