2YO Savabeel colt dazzles on debut

Well-related two-year-old colt Savaglee made the perfect start to his career on Saturday afternoon when he was untested to win over 900 metres at Trentham.

The precocious son of Savabeel had won his only lead-up trial for trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard and his debut victory confirmed plans for a crack at a $1 million juvenile feature.

“We’ll work backwards from the Karaka Million. We’ll send him home for a week-long break at The Oaks Stud first, but I think he’s the type of colt that will benefit by continuing to tick over so we’ll plan a few more races for him,” Gerard said.

“He’s very professional, fast, and done everything right so far as a two-year-old colt.

“We thought the race served as a nice option to get some coin in the bank and also give him a trip away.

“The footing came up ideal and he’s probably exceeded my expectations a bit in the way that he won. He hasn’t been off the bridle yet, so, yes, it’s pretty encouraging to see him win in that manner.”

He broke quickly to make the running and rider Naranjan Parmar had the luxury of multiple looks over his shoulder in the run home before Savaglee waltzed clear to win untouched by four lengths and a margin that flattered his opposition.

“Niranjan got a good feel of him at the Waipa trials and he’s done a really good job, getting him out cleanly, and looking after him in the run he was sitting pretty,” Gearard said.

Savaglee was purchased out of breeder Waikato Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $400,000 with The Oaks Stud signing the ticket.

He is a son of the O’Reilly mare Glee, who is in foal to Noverre, is from a potent family and is out of a half-sister to the G1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce S. winner Good Faith.

The pedigree also features the Matamata farm’s Group 1-winning graduates Daffodil, Aegon and Atishu.