She Gives Us (Gold) Fever

On a Group One race day at Te Rapa, Gold Fever (2 f Savabeel - Gold Rocks, by Oratorio) made the best possible start for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards when winning the $30,000 Race A Horse with Te Akau - 2017 Karaka Million Stable over 1200 metres.

Te Akau principal David Ellis said: “In the last month we have sponsored at Wellington, Te Aroha, and here at Waikato, and we like to put something back into the industry to help the Clubs because we know how hard they're working at the moment.”

Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, the Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club, made the presentation to Te Akau Gold Fever Syndicate manager David Ellis, also a past Chairman of the Club, and Julia-Rose Ellis made a good speech on behalf of the sponsor.

“They are a terrific group of loyal owners from New Zealand and Australia, who have travelled to see her win today,” Ellis said.

Away well to take a sit outside the leader at the 800 metres, Gold Fever quickened to lead early in the home straight and had matters in hand over the final 150m under Cameron Lammas.

“She does things professionally and that's how we like to see our two-year-olds race,” Ellis said.

“Begin well, race handily, and show a great kick when asked and it was a top ride by Cameron. Cameron Lammas told me from day one that she was one of the very best of the fillies we had and Kerry Jones and Milou Grylls, that run her stable, have done a great job.”

Gold Fever had commenced her career winning over 1000 metres at Te Rapa, with Lammas aboard, just missed beating Dijon Bleu (Burgundy) at her second start, before finishing a close third in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie. A race in which the winner, Hasahalo (Savabeel), went on to notch second to the Te Akau trained filly Melody Belle (Commands) in the $1million Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m).

Freshened since Ellerslie, Gold Fever appeared a stronger filly for the gap in racing and ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.9, last 600m in 33.9, on Good3 footing, paying $3.00 & $1.20.

“She did it easily and kicked even harder when I asked her,” said Lammas, of the filly with two wins and two places from four starts and now preparing for the $100,000 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 25 February at Matamata.

“We were really pleased with that win,” Richards said. “As soon as she was over the line in the Eclipse (Stakes) our plan was to head towards this race as a lead in to the Matamata Breeders.

“She has a little bit of improvement in her yet. Her work with Heroic Valour on Tuesday was strong and we were expecting a nice run.   She's a real two-year-old type and has plenty of talent.”

Richards also made special mention of stable riders Cameron Lammas and Michael McNab, who after riding at the twilight meeting a day earlier, and late back from New Plymouth, were riding work at 4.30 a.m. this morning.

“It's a huge team effort behind the scenes, everyone goes the extra mile, and Steve, David and myself are very pleased with the way things are going,” Richards said.

Carrying the Waikato Stud brand, Gold Fever was prepared for them and offered from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

“I bought her off Waikato Stud at the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast, for $110,000, and a month later her half-sister (Gold Rush, by So You Think) won the Matamata Breeders' Stakes, so the owners' residual value made a big move within the first month,” Ellis said.

“Cameron Lammas told me from day one that she was the pick of the fillies we had and the staff that run her stable, Kerry Jones and Milou Grylls, have done a great job.”

Gold Fever was strapped by Melissa Ford.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz