Racing: Stablemates duel for title

Sword of Osman wins the Group 1 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday from stablemate Avantage. Photo / Trish Dunell

The battle for the title of New Zealand's best juvenile is set to go down to the last Group 1 of the season.

Sword Of Osman maybe took the inside running for the title at Ellerslie on Saturday when he led throughout to win the $200,000 Sistema Stakes, the unbeaten run of stablemate Avantage.

Having previously won the Karaka Million, had Avantage won - and her performance was every bit as good as the winner - she would be all but a certainty for the juvenile of the year title but immediately after the race her connections thought her season may be over.

But that may not prove to be the case.

Avantage has come through the race so well Te Akau boss David Ellis has now changed his original plans to spell the Fastnet Rock filly and she could well join Sword Of Osman in the Sires' Produce Stakes at Awapuni on April 1.

"She has come through the race so well that Awapuni is definitely an option," Ellis said.

"We had options before the other day and one of those was still the Golden Slipper in Sydney but we definitely aren't heading there.

"But we couldn't be happier with her so she will stay in work until the end of this week and then we will make our final decision on Awapuni.

"But there is a very, very good chance she will be there as well as Sword Of Osman and that gives us two great options.

"I think on a firm track Sword Of Osman would probably be our best chance but any easing of the track could swing that toward Avantage."

If both the Te Akau brilliant babies turn up at Awapuni then where they finish could well decide the juvenile title, with Ellis declaring regardless of the result the race would be the pair's last for the season.

The race is shaping as a thriller with the possibility Melt, who trainer Nigel Tiley felt was feeling the firm Ellerslie track on Saturday, also a chance to line up in the feature.

But no matter who starts in only the second New Zealand two-year-old Group 1 of the season, Sword Of Osman holds pole position.

The slick son of Savabeel has now won three of his four starts with his sole defeat coming in that Karaka Million won by Avantage.

Co-trainer Stephen 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.

"He's amazing. He's like a three-year-old now," Bosson said. "I can't wait for his three-year-old career."

- Addtional reporting: NZ Racing Desk