Just one heat to go in key Sires' Stakes features before IRT NZ Cup and Show Week

Not only did Millwood Nike's win at Addington last Thursday extend her unbeaten run it also secured her a place in the Group 1 Nevele R 50 Years of Success Fillies Final on IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 14.

It was a powerhouse effort from the mighty filly and driver Olivia Thornley in Heat 6 of the series, after sitting parked most of the way.

She is now unbeaten in all 15 career starts, and is clearly the one to beat in the Final.

With just one heat left, five horses have qualified for the $140,000 final, which is one of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated features on IRT New Zealand Cup Day.

The other five heat winners, along with Millwood Nike, are Aardiebytheseaside, Tokyo Rose, Mantra Blue (2 Heat wins) and Treacherous Gall

Chasing a total stake of $160,000, also on Tuesday November 14, will be the country's best 2YO Colts and Geldings in the Woodlands Stud Sires' Stakes Series 40 Final.

There have been four heats so far with northerner Le Major winning two of them, along with Chase A Dream and Renegade.

Hawkeye Pierce, who finished twice behind Le Major at Cambridge and Auckland, has also sealed his place in the Final, as have the two other runners-up in Miki's Courage and Hadron Collider.

Three days later, on Show Day Friday November 17, it will be the 2YO Fillies to the fore in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Fillies Series 40 Final.

The winners and runners-up of the three heats so far have all qualified for the $140,000 Group 1 showdown.

They are heat winners Kiss, Coastal Babe, and Waterfront, along with Seaside Rose, Ultimate Racy Girl and Madrid.

The final heats for all three series will be held at Ashburton as part of their "Magic Monday" race day on Labour Day, October 23.

And then it's all eyes on Addington in November.

To view more about the three series click below

Nevele R Series
Woodlands Stud Series
Dunstan Horsefeeds Series