Savabeel Colt Secures Karaka Million Start

Media Release - Friday January 17

Te Akau Racing’s quest to win the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) for the fourth year in succession was bolstered considerably when Cool Aza Beel ensured his place in the field with a dominant victory at Tauranga on Friday.

Cool Aza Beel - Race Images

Cool Aza Beel - Race Images

The Jamie Richards-trained son of Savabeel made light work when defeating his three rivals in the Matamata Veterinary Services 2YO (1200m) and the focus will now be on the million-dollar feature at Ellerslie on Saturday week.

“We’re on track,” a relieved Richards said.

“He’s a pretty important horse for us so it was good to see him do that.

“I thought he did it nicely and physically he has still got a bit of improvement in him for eight days’ time. He hasn’t raced in a fair while.

“We think he is good enough to be competitive so the next eight days are going to be very important, but he is the sort of horse that can handle what we need to give to him to get him there.”

The colt was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $150,000 from the draft of Fairdale Stud at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and the stable will be hoping he can emulate their previous Karaka Million winners Melody Belle (2017), Avantage (2018) and Probabeel (2019).

A spiked temperature led to Cool Aza Beel’s withdrawl from a key lead-up race last week, but he looks to be back on track in what is an important time for New Zealand’s leading stable and exponent of racehorse syndication.

“It gives us a platform to kick off the sales (with the Karaka Million the day before),” Richards said.

“We bought seven horses at Magic Millions, with shares available, and we will be very strong at Karaka as well. It is a really important time for us and hopefully this colt can look after us.” – NZ Racing Desk

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Matamata Veterinary Serv. 2yo 1200m

Tauranga Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:12.77
1
Cool Aza Beel
- 2c Savabeel (AUS) x Cool 'n' Sassy (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $0
Seller: Hallmark Stud
Buyer: Psd, Res $200,000
2
3.0
Kelly Renee
- 2f Vespa (NZ) x Sister Celeste (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: C J Grylls 54
3
4.8
Leeside
- 2f Headwater (AUS) x Seonia (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: C E Lammas 54
4
5.8
Jack Of Hearts
- 2g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Red Alert (NZ) (Red Giant (USA))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: T D Thornton 56
More Reading...
Savabeel Blueblood Wins G3 Desert Gold
A copybook ride by Opie Bosson paved the way for promising filly Showbeel to add a valuable black type success to her career record when she took out the first feature race at Trentham on Saturday, the Group III New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m).
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.
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.
Yulong Acquire Australian Guineas Favourite
Yulong have announced they have acquired ruling Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital.
Mo'Unga Looking to Bounce Back
Trainer Annabel Neasham is looking forward to stepping out Group One winner Mo’unga in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, where she is expecting to see an improved run from the entire.
Sydney 2YO Wednesday - High Prices and 1st Season Sires
The two year-old race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday is an interesting, and seemingly open, one which sees the second highest priced Farnan yearling of 2024 entered, along with the third highest priced I Am Invincible along with several other first season sire debutants.
Riccarton 2YO Winner for Maurice
Progressive juvenile Best Rose turned the tables on her key rival at Riccarton Park on Wednesday, scoring an impressive second-up victory in The Tea House At Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m).
OTI Racing Acquire Oaks Prospect
Australian syndicator OTI Racing have added a $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) contender to their New Zealand racing arsenal after securing promising filly Twisted Love last week.
Brother to Byzantine Headed for Karaka 2020
The winning run of trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team continued at Tauranga on Thursday when Byzantine scored over 1400m in rating 72 company.
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.