Valachi Downs-owned filly likely to head to Fillies Classic at Te Rapa en route to Group 1

Needle And Thread (Makfi), who won the Royal Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) at Ellersie on New Year’s Day, is likely to head to the Fillies Classic (Gr 2, 2000m) at Te Rapa next month before a tilt at the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) at Trentham in March. “She has just kept improving and she is eating and doing better now than she ever has,” co-trainer Kris Shailer said. “From New Year’s Day onwards she hasn’t really missed a beat.”