By Heather Anderson
A field of 11 juveniles go postward in the 1200m NZ$200,000 G1 Sistema S. at Ellerslie Saturday, one of only two Group 1 races for juveniles on the New Zealand calendar. Felton Road (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), a winner of his first two starts over course and distance Dec. 29 and Jan. 14, respectively, found the fillies Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands {Aus}) and Jan. 1 G3 Eclipse S. heroine Hasahalo {NZ}) (Savabeel {Aus}) too good when making up some late ground in the Jan. 29 Karaka Million. He steps up to group class for the first time Saturday. Third to Gift of Power (NZ) (Power {GB}) and Hasahalo in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. Dec. 3, Melody Belle dropped to eighth in the wake of Felton Road in that Jan. 14 Ellerslie outing and has not graced the racetrack since her Karaka Millions victory.
Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), third in the G3 Eclipse S. to Hasahalo locally on New Year's Day, enters this contest on a two-race winning streak. Successful at Te Rapa going this trip Feb. 11, theTe Akau colourbearer clawed out a narrow win in the G2 Matamata Breeders' S. last out Feb. 25.
Listed Matamata Slipper hero Summer Passage (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) will attempt to add more 2-year-old lustre to his sire's already brilliant season in just his third career start. Runner-up at first asking at Pukekohe Jan. 28, he prevailed in frontrunning fashion in that Matamata feature Feb. 25.
Irish Flame (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) graduated in start number two, closing strongly to salute in the 1200-metre G3 Phoenix Park 2yo Classic at New Plymouth Feb. 18, with Aquamosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) third.
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