Gold Fever Strikes it Rich

The Informant writes:

A year on from a narrow defeat to Gold Rush, the Te Akau team went one better in the Gr. 2 J Swap Matamata Breeders' Stakes this afternoon with that filly's half-sister Gold Fever.

Te Akau Racing and Matamata trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards went into last year's running of their home-track feature with Sassy 'N' Smart, who tried hard after a taxing wide run but came up a nose short of Gold Rush.

Today Gold Rocks became the first broodmare to produce two consecutive Matamata Breeders' Stakes winners, and this time the tangerine colours of Te Akau were on the winning side of a close finish.

“David Ellis bought her on the Gold Coast for A$110,000 from Waikato Stud,” Richards said.

“Obviously she's a half-sister to Gold Rush who won this last year. We were a bit unlucky in coming second last year with Sassy 'N' Smart, so it's good to get the win today.”

The win continued a hot run of form for Te Akau and jockey Opie Bosson, who took up a position as the stable's number-one rider when he returned from a stint in Hong Kong in December. Their wins together include the Gr. 1 Levin Classic with Hall Of Fame and the Karaka Million with Melody Belle, while Te Akau also took out last Saturday's Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas with Gingernuts.

Bosson played a key role in today's victory, slotting Gold Fever into a perfect position in sixth place behind an electric early pace. Santuzza was the early leader ahead of Princess Rihanna and the debut winner Ujjayyi, who blew her chances when she ran off around the home bend.

Bosson angled Gold Fever into the clear soon after straightening for home and the Savabeel filly quickly moved into contention. She faced stiff opposition on her inside from the fast-finishing Joyfilly, who had finished second in Gold Fever's last-start win at Te Rapa.

The two fillies went to war in the last 100 metres. Joyfilly fought for all she was worth, but Gold Fever gradually got the upper hand and snatched victory by a head. Santuzza held on bravely for third, two and a half lengths away.

“She got knocked sideways coming out of the gate, so I ended up in that spot by accident,” Bosson admitted. “But it ended up being the right place to be with such a strong pace.

“She's a tough little filly. She's not the easiest to ride, and Cameron Lammas has done an amazing job of educating her. He made my job a lot easier.”

Gold Fever had started four times before today, three with Lammas aboard for two wins and two placings including a third in the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie.

“We set our sights on this race after the Eclipse, because she wasn't eligible for the Karaka Million,” Richards said.

“Opie put her in a lovely spot today behind a breakneck speed. She relaxed really well and closed off strongly. She's not very big, but she's super tough and has a massive heart.

“These Savabeels are tough horses. She's a filly with a real attitude, but come raceday she's very hard to get past.”

Richards identified the Sistema (Diamond) Stakes at Ellerslie on March 11 as Gold Fever's likely next assignment. Melody Belle is also likely to contest that $200,000 feature.

“I'd say Gold Fever will carry on to the Group One at Ellerslie now,” Richards said. “The two-week gap should suit her and she's run well at Ellerslie before.”

Oratorio mare Gold Rocks is the dam of three named foals, with all three now stakes winners. In addition to the Matamata Breeders' Stakes-winning pair, she also produced Lonhro filly Calaverite who has won the Listed Gimcrack Stakes in Sydney and St Albans Stakes in Melbourne.

Gold Rocks joins the mighty Tudor Light as the dam of multiple Matamata Breeders' Stakes winners. Tudor Light produced Tudor Sky to win it in 1981 and Our Tristalight in 1992.