Savaglee Moves to Plan B

Media Release - Tuesday October 29

Savaglee’s path to his spring grand final will take another detour this week with Pam Gerard admitting to severe frustration with the disrupted preparation.

The Oaks Stud-raced son of Savabeel has the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next week as his main target and it’s been far from plain sailing for the Matamata trainer in the build-up.

Savaglee will contest Wednesday's Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Monday’s fixture at Te Rapa featuring the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) was the latest upset when the meeting was called off after three races due to unsafe track conditions.

Last month, Gerard and Savaglee had tripped to Hastings only for the middle day of the carnival to be canned after one race and her charge subsequently won the relocated Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) on his home track.

Advertisement

Now, an exasperated Gerard will head to Te Aroha on Wednesday for take two of the Sarten and Savaglee’s delayed final dress rehearsal for the Guineas at Riccarton.

“Of course, it’s a problem but it is what it is, and we have to adapt the best we can to what they’ve put in front of us,” Gerard said.

“It’s far from ideal and it’s just frustrating. It needs to be a lot more professional. Yes it’s the same for everybody and we have to deal with it, but it is very poor.”

As an entire, turning the well-related Savaglee’s potential into Group One performance at Riccarton is paramount for Gerard and her connections.

“He’s on the fresh side because it (the Sarten) isn’t our final and he’s still got to get over the race and get to Christchurch and every day we miss we’re another one behind,” she said.

“These are big races and dictate horses’ future careers, my fellow is a colt and we’re trying to make him into a stallion.

“I’m probably lucky that he is a colt and can take it so that’s maybe a little bit of a plus, but I can’t see many positives coming out of it.”

Currently the $4 second favourite for the Guineas, Savaglee will also have to contend with the outside barrier in his dress rehearsal at Te Aroha.

“It is a small field and maybe there might be another scratching and we’ll come in a little bit, but it’s something else we have to deal with,” Gerard said.

Savaglee will again be partnered by Sam Spratt, who has ridden the colt to both of his wins this preparation and a runner-up finish in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) after an interrupted run.

Gerard will also be represented at Te Aroha by Zerre in the Donaghy’s Undermax Maiden (1200m) and Skipping in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m).

The former was a resuming fifth at Taupo earlier this month while Skipping will be making her first appearance for the season.

“Zerre did things a little bit wrong first-up and back on a bigger track I think we’ll see a different result,” Gerard said.

“Skipping trialled really well, it will probably be a little shorter than she wants but she’ll be running home for sure.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Racing Australia Invests In Study Into Early Detection Of Injury Risk
Racing Australia’s Research and Development Fund today announced in conjunction with the Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) and Telemedvet, a combined investment of over $400,000 into a 12-month project to perform a cross-sectional study of a serum biomarker in the clinical investigation of equine musculoskeletal injuries.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Silver Slipper Looks Gold - 4 of Top 7 To Clash
The fields are out for Saturday’s Rosehill card and the Silver Slipper has produced a salivating line up where we’ll see the next run of boom Wootton Bassett colt Wodeton in a race which includes four of the top seven in the Golden Slipper market.
Savaglee Pushing on to G1 Australian Guineas
Gun New Zealand three-year-old Savaglee got his first taste of Australian racing on home soil on Saturday when placing behind Aussie raiders Here To Shock and Bosustow in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, and his connections are now looking forward to testing his talents across the Tasman.
Entries Open For 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series
The 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series – the most lucrative weanling sales series in the Southern Hemisphere – is now open for entries.
Savabeel Colt Brilliant in G2 Levin Classic
Class three-year-old Savaglee stepped out for the first time since his devastating victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November and absolutely destroyed a small but handy field in Saturday’s Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham.
Savaglee Ready to Pick Up Where He Left Off
Glamour colt Savaglee will commence an exciting summer programme at Trentham on Saturday, taking his place in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m).
Savaglee Trial Impressive
Eight Group One performers were put through their paces in a star-studded 1100m trial before the eight-race twilight card at Matamata on Friday, and it was standout three-year-old Savaglee who came out on top.
Farnan Colt A Debut Winner - Slipper Crack Coming
High priced Farnan colt King Of Pop will be given his chance to get to the Golden Slipper after a debut win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Savaglee Ready to Take on Older Rivals
Savaglee has conquered all before him at age-group level in New Zealand, and on Saturday, the star colt will take on the older horses in a star-studded edition of the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m).