Savabeel filly runs up to expectations

A bold second-up performance was expected from Hanafubuki at Kyneton on Thursday afternoon and the filly didn’t let connections down with a strong winning performance.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained daughter of Savabeel had closed late to finish fifth on debut at Cranbourne and the step up to 1850 metres proved ideal.

“There was a good deal of confidence, she was strong through the line over 1500 metres and we knew the extra distance was never going be a problem,” stable representative Darren Saunders said.

“It was a solid win and she will improve with that and more distance.”

Hanafubuki settled three back on the fence and the Waikato Stud graduate was pushed along to improve before the turn by rider Jake Noonan.

The filly responded in the run home and drove powerfully between runners in the closing 75 metres to score by a head.

Hanafubuki was purchased out of the Matamata nursery’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $100,000 by Busuttin Racing, Merrick Station and Group 1 Bloodstock.

She is the first foal of the Makfi mare English Rose, who was successful on two occasions, and is a sister to the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa. It is also the family of the G1 Otaki-Maori WFA Stakes winner Mascarpone.

English Rose has an unraced juvenile colt and a yearling daughter by Savabeel and last season produced a filly by Ocean Park and is back in foal to the G1 Cox Plate winner.