There were two stakes races held at Moonee Valley on Friday night and Peter Moody purchased both as yearlings, the first coming when the diminutive Savabeel gelding Bassett opened his stakes account in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m).
The 4yo gelding has carried high expectations since making a winning career debut at Caulfield at two before finishing fifth when well supported in the Group I JJ Atkins Stakes at Doomben.
Becoming the first stakes winner for apprentice Beau Mertens, Bassett was given a positive ride from an outside barrier to defeat Reldas (Testa Rossa) by two and a quarter lengths with Well Sprung (Star Witness) back in third.
Mertens said the son of Savabeel gained a deal of confidence from his last start win at Sandown.
"He (trainer Mick Price) has been a good supporter and I've had a fair bit of luck with him. He's really supporting me with some nice horses," Mertens said.
"I think that win at Sandown really opened his eyes, he won quite impressively.
"He's not very big but he does make up for that with heart and he was strong here today."
Placed in the Group III Carbine Club Stakes, Group III Zeditave Stakes and Listed Goodwood Racecourse Trophy at three, Bassett advances his record to 4 wins, 2 seconds and 4 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $299,900.
A $60,000 purchase by Moody Racing from the Westbury Stud draft at the 2014 NZ Bloodstock Premier Yearling sale at Karaka, Bassett is the first foal of the stakes-placed Captain Rio mare Fledgling a half-sister to Group I ARC Diamond Stakes winner Fully Fledged (Align).
She has a colt foal by Charm Spirit (IRE) and was bred back to the son of Invincible Spirit last spring.
The Qatar Bloodstock bred Bassett becomes the 60th stakes winner for Waikato Stud's champion stallion Savabeel.
