Oaks target for impressive Savabeel maiden graduate

5 January 2015

It was mission accomplished for Savabeel filly Savaria as she completed the first part of a long term plan that encompasses a tilt at the Gr. 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks in March with a devastating last to first performance to break her maiden status at Hastings on New Year’s Day.

Trainer Royden Bergerson was quietly confident of a top showing from his charge after an unlucky debut run for fifth at Woodville in October but even he was somewhat taken aback by the dominance of her victory.

“I thought she would be hard to beat after she was pretty unlucky on debut but I hadn’t quite expected a performance like that,” he admitted.

“She’s shown us she’s a smart filly all the way through with the plan being to try and get her to the Oaks so that’s a nice way to take the first step on that journey.”

Settled at the rear of the ten horse field that contested the maiden 1400m event, Savaria looked to be travelling well as the leaders made their way into the home straight but was still a conservative eight lengths from the pace early in the run home.

Balanced up by rider Hayden Tinsley, the three-year-old filly swept past her rivals at the 100 metre mark and dashed away to claim a two length victory along with the $11,500 NZB Insurance Pearl Series incentive bonus associated with the race.

Bergerson is now in two minds as to the next option for the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales graduate who was a $110,000 purchase from the premier session of the 2013 sale for owners Des and Kaye Fleming.

“I’m leaning towards a start in the Desert Gold Stakes on Wellington Cup day as her next option however there are also some other nice races in her grade so we will sit down and work it out in the next few days,” he said.

“The New Zealand Oaks has always been the main mission for her so we will work back from there to determine the best way to get to the race.”

Bergerson also reported that his promising mare Tie Me Down had thrived since her last start win at Awapuni on Manawatu Cup Day and would head to the Listed Tui Anniversary Handicap at Trentham on the 17th of January for her next assignment. – NZ Racing Desk

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