The manner of Yourdeel's win at Matamata was nearly identical to Sword Of Osman's 12 months earlier.
While Sword Of Osman led throughout for a 5¾-length win, Yourdeel trailed the leaders before Matt Cameron presented him to similarly bound clear, the Dundeel gelding scoring by six lengths over stablemate Aotea Lad.
Sword Of Osman led throughout in the Sistema Stakes last year but clearly the run of the race came from the runner-up Avantage, who boomed home from last, a first defeat in five starts that she was to avenge in the group one Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni a few weeks later.
The trick for Yourdeel is that while Sword Of Osman was able to set his own terms from barrier one, he has drawn the outside barrier of 11, a potentially sticky starting position for today's jockey Opie Bosson.
With decent speed through Australian visitor Just Zerene, last-start group two Matamata Breeders Stakes runner-up Rainbow Dash, Equinox and Enjoy The Show among those sure to show early intent, getting the right position for Yourdeel won't be easy.
But he might just have the tactical speed necessary to get himself out of trouble and continue the Slipper-Sistema winning trend.
Adding the precocious talents of Aotea Lad, Matamata Breeders Stakes winner Aretha, Equinox and Bavella and the Sistema looks an appetising way to kick off today's group one menu.
This is the fourth year that the Auckland Racing Club have hosted three group one races on one card, having ditched its Auckland Cup Wednesday meeting in 2016.
Trackside is broadcasting a two-hour uninterrupted stream of Ellerslie coverage on its youtube channel encompassing the three features. Perhaps the most anticipated will be the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m), a race that has attracted eight group one winners in a field of 12, including current glamour mares Melody Belle and Danzdanzdance.
A winner of 10 of her 19 starts, Melody Belle shoots for her third straight group one crown after wins in the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa and Haunui Farm Weight-For-Age Classic (1600m) at Otaki to go with her earlier brace of elite level wins this season in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings in the spring.
She has yet to be tried past 1600m but she is unbeaten in two 1600m starts in New Zealand, both at group one level, and has yet to be beaten in five starts in New Zealand beyond 1200m.
Danzdanzdance is a dual group one winner this term, with two wide-margin wins in the Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham and the Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie leading into her surprise Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) defeat at Te Rapa last month when sent out a $1.50 favourite.
She had an exhibition gallop under Opie Bosson at Ellerslie last week and reeled off slashing sectional splits without any pressure. Craig Grylls takes the ride today.
Chances don't end there though. On The Rocks won the Herbie Dyke handsomely. Consensus has been a model of consistency this year and Shadows Cast, another unproven at 2000m, was terrific in winning the group one Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January. Rondinella and Vin De Dance are the rising stars.
Charles Road finished sixth in the Auckland Cup last year but he looks nicely placed to win the final group one event of the day in this year's 3200m feature.
He zipped home for fourth in the Herbie Dyke Stakes, beating Danzdanzdance, then flashed home for fourth in the listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata a fortnight ago, having found himself pocketed with 600m to run and then blocked at the 400m mark.
He drops 3.5kg and as a proven 3200m stayer who placed in last year's group one Sydney Cup and challenged for the lead at the 400m mark of this season's Melbourne Cup, he is clearly the horse to beat carrying an almost luxury 57kg topweight.
Vengeur Masque chased Charles Road home in the Melbourne Cup but went on to place in the Sandown Cup (3200m) at his next start.Five To Midnight beat Charles Road in last year's Auckland Cup, having gone down a nose to Ladies First when the race looked his. He finished well for fourth to Glory Days in last month's group two Avondale Cup (2400m) and meets that mare 4kg better today, though both have win claims. Blue Breeze is worth wider consideration.
