Sword Of Osman has taken pole position in the race for this season's champion two-year-old honours.
The slick son of Savabeel went to the top of the juvenile rankings when he produced another powerful front-running performance to win yesterday's group one Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie off the back ofhis runaway success in the group three Reid & Harrison Slipper (1200m).
Trained by Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Sword of Osman has now won three of his four starts with his sole defeat coming in the Karaka Million (1200m).
Autridge said their pre-race Sistema plan was to let the gelding continue his customary pacemaking role and those instructions were perfectly executed by ride Opie Bosson, who had labelled the youngster a special talent before he had raced.
"The whole race he relaxed beautifully in front," Bosson said. "He changed legs a few times, but he just kept running. He's very, very good."
Sword Of Osman had a length and a quarter to spare on stablemate Avantage at the post with Spanish Whisper third ahead of Bocce. The favourite Melt ran sixth and looked to have her chance.
"He's amazing. He's like a three-year-old now," Bosson said. "I can't wait for his three-year-old career."
The Karaka Million (1200m) winner Avantage suffered the first defeat of her five-start career, but she was far from disgraced. By design, she was taken back to last by rider Matthew Cameron from her outside and the Fastnet Rock filly made ground strongly in the run home.
● Rikki Tikki Tavi continued a lucrative preparation with further success yesterday. The Ruakaka-prepared mare had won by a narrow margin in Rating 75 company on the course seven days previously and she stepped up in grade to stage a repeat performance in the Winger Maserati 1200m.
