The half-sister to Gold Rush, who won last year's edition of the J. Swap
Contractors-sponsored feature, joined barn mate and Karaka Million winner
Melody Belle as a feature juvenile winner and they now have the Gr.1 Sistema
Stakes in a fortnight's time in their sights.Another member of the stable in Summer Monsoon had earlier finished runner-up in the Listed Reid & Harrison Slipper with a performance that had boosted confidence in Gold Fever.
"She's holding her form really well and she had also worked very well with Summer Monsoon here on Tuesday morning," said Jamie Richards, who trains in partnership with Stephen Autridge.
"The Savabeels are really tough and she's a filly with attitude and come race day she's very hard to get past.
"She'll go to the Group One in a couple of weeks and she's run well at Ellerslie before."
Gold Fever settled close to the pace and one off the fence and she wound up powerfully in the closing 250 metres under stable rider Opie Bosson.
"She travelled nicely and the fast pace helped," he said. "She's a tough little filly, not the easiest to ride, and all credit to Cameron Lammas, who has educated her and made my job a lot easier."
Joyfilly travelled one spot ahead of Gold Fever and she made a fight of it in
the straight before going under by a head. Santuzza set a hot tempo in front and she boxed on gamely for third ahead of Princess Rihanna while the well-supported Ujjayyi got into a nice place near the speed before she ran off on the home turn.
Bred in New Zealand, Gold Fever was actually sold in Australia as a yearling with David Ellis purchasing her for $110,000 from the Sledmere Stud draft at Magic Millions.
She is the third stakes-winner from top producer and Group II winner Gold Rocks joining Gold Rush and Calaverite. - NZ Racing Desk
