Sistema Stakes (Group 1)

HAVING struck twice at Randwick last week, Jamie Richards, Opie Bosson and Te Akau Racing repeated the dose at Ellerslie on Saturday, claiming another Group 1 double.

For the juveniles, the Te Akau team saddled up the $1.70 favourite Cool Aza Beel, the Karaka Million 2YO winner in January, for the Sistema Stakes over 1,200 metres.

Beaten for early pace and taking a sit, the colt swiftly rectified the situation taking over through the final bend to win well from the More Than Ready filly Vernazza.

A colt by New Zealand’s champion sire Savabeel, this maiden Group 1 puts him into the frame for a lucrative stud career.

The Group 1 Sires’ Produce on March 28th at Awapuni his likely next target.

Avantage too strong for rivals in Bonecrusher

Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Group 1)

TWO races later Richards was back in the winner’s stall with the Fastnet Rock mare Avantage in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes over 2,000 metres. Too strong once she peeled off the fence to sweep into the lead, she won by over a length ahead of a wall of six challengers.

Also a Karaka Million 2YO winner, Avantage has now won four Group 1s from 1,200 metres through to 2,000.

Richards commented: “We’ve always spoken about her constitution and her strength. These are the type of horses that Dave (Ellis) goes to the sales to try and buy and the results are there to see.”

A NZ$210,000 yearling from the Karaka Premier, Avantage has now won 10 from 17, and is out of the stakes-winning Zabeel mare Asavant.

For Richards, at just 30 years old, the win brought up his 25th Group 1 in three years. He added: “I am only as good as the horses I am given to train and I am lucky David (Ellis, Te Akau Racing) buys so many good ones and can syndicate them.”

Roger jogs away and takes the Auckland Cup

Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Group 1)

SAMANTHA Collet made it back-to-back Auckland Cup wins at Ellerslie on Saturday winning the 3,200-metre Group 1 on the Shinko King gelding Roger That for trainer Antony Fuller.

Collett said: “He just jogged around and ate up the 3,200. He gave me such a dream ride as he didn’t pull.”

Roger That defeated the German-bred Lando gelding Sound and the Redwood gelding Platinum Invador and proved his staying prowess.