Savabeel Double at Matamata

It was a weekend to remember for Waikato Stud, with our white, blue and green silks to the fore as two of Sav’s progeny, bred by Garry Chittick, won at Matamata.

On Saturday at Matamata, Pilates and Magice, won consecutive races in the stud’s colours. It was a special afternoon for everyone at the farm especially for the team at Courtza Park with Kris Shailer training the latter. 

Pilates was particularly impressive for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson. She settled well back and turned for home with plenty of work to do. Once she balanced up, she quickened smartly, ran down the leaders and won with authority.

The four-year-old has needed patience after a setback or two along the way, and Saturday’s win came at just her second start. We think there is plenty more to come.

Pilates was retained to race, and her pedigree makes her a valuable addition to our broodmare band. She is one of five winners, all by Savabeel, from the unraced O’Reilly mare Splits, a family that includes Ellerslie Listed winner Synchronise. Splits is a daughter of our dual Gr.1 winner Legs (Pins), who won the New Zealand Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) and the Kelt Capital Stakes (Gr.1, 2040m).

The family’s depth goes further still. Splits is a sister-in-blood to dual Group 1 winner Tiptronic, who is also by O’Reilly and out of the Pins mare Tiptoes. She is also a three-quarter sister to Western Australian Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) winner Guyno (O’Reilly).