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Kali, heads Saturday's New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr 1) field set to jump from barrier 12.

Kali, a daughter of Darci Brahma, heads Saturday's New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr 1) field with the Tony Pike-trained filly set to jump from barrier 12 under Troy Harris. Winner of the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr 3) over 1400 metres last start, Kali faces 15 rivals including a pair of Lance Noble-trained fillies. Noble is confident that both of his fillies will put in good performances with the Breandan and Jo Lindsay-owned Bavella coming into the race having placed in both of her last two starts at Group Three level whilst Avadane comes into Saturday's race having won her last start at Counties. 

"She doesn't have to improve much off her last two runs to be pretty competitive," Noble said of Bavella. "The first run in the Gold Trail was super. She was three and four-wide the entire way. It was just a nod on the line. Avadane will be partnered by Rosie Myers and has drawn barrier five for the race while Bavella will jump from barrier four with Leith Innes aboard. The race will also have an impact on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series with 12 points to be awarded to the winner.