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The strength of the current New Zealand three-year-old crop has been emphasised by the release of finalists for the 2016-17 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing announced the finalists for five of the six racehorse categories, with the finalists for Jumper of the Year to be determined later in the month.

The five finalists for 3YO of the Year have all been classic winners this season.

Bonneval and Gingernuts were G1 winners on both sides of the Tasman, La Diosa was a G1 winner in New Zealand and a G2 winner in Australia and Jon Snow was a dual G1-placegetter in New Zealand and a G1 and G2 winner in Australia.

Bonneval, Gingernuts and Jon Snow are also finalists in the stayers category and three-year-old Saracino is a finalist for Sprinter of the Year.

All finalists are also eligible for the Horse of the Year award, which will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on Sunday September 10.

Champion 2YO: Gold Fever, Melody Belle, Summer Passage.

Champion 3YO: Bonneval, Gingernuts, Jon Snow, La Diosa, Ugo Foscolo.

Champion Sprinter (up to 1500m): Kawi, Saracino, Signify, Start Wondering.

Champion Middle Distance (1501m-2100m): Kawi, Thee Auld Floozie, Volkstok’n’barrell, Willie Cazals.

Champion Stayer (2101m and further): Bonneval, Chenille, Chocante, Gingernuts, Jacksstar, Jon Snow, Lizzie L’Amour.