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Summer Passage wins 2017 Reid & Harrison M’mata Slipper Listed NZ$50,000, Matamata (NZ) 2yoColts & Geldings, 1200m.
Summer Passage improved on his debut second to win well here. In a perfect start, no runner broke the line for a hundred meters, however, from barrier two Summer Passage gradually took up the running. Past the 600m he was challenged yet kept his nose in front until they straightened. Balanced, he broke away to lead by two lengths at the 200m but rider Craig Grylls had to find more and urged the colt along, keeping him going and holding on to win in a smart time by a half-length.
Summer Monsoon had the run of the race in behind the pace (rails), was blocked at the top of the straight, found space at the 200m and went after the winner but the post arrived too soon. Hanger was second last turning in and ran on strongly against the fence to nab third, three quarters of a length back.
Favourite Aim Smart had every chance but showed little over the last 200m.