Australian Stakes Double for Savabeel

23 September 2013

Waikato Stud sire Savabeel enjoyed a notable stakes double in Australia last week, with sons Savvy Nature and Classique Ivory successfully escalating the Gr.1 Zabeel sire’s stakes winner count to 26.

Giving rise to Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes and Gr.1 Victoria Derby aspirations in the process, the John O’Shea-trained Savvy Nature claimed victory in Wednesday’s Gr.3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle.

The Gino Poletti-conditioned five-year-old Classique Ivory subsequently played his part Saturday, signalling to a possible Gr.2 Perth Cup tilt ahead with success in the Listed Kalgoorlie Cup.

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Oaks Day glory for Waikato Stud-bred Sulek

Waikato Stud enjoyed a special moment on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, when the New Zealand-bred gelding Sulek – by Super Seth out the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co, saluted on one of the biggest days of the racing calendar and in front of an international crowd. Bred by the farm in partnership with the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Sulek took out the A$500,000 Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) for the third and most lucrative win of his career.

5 November 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

And so, another Melbourne Cup has been run. Regretfully, Mary and I were not there. I have no idea how many we attended up until COVID, and I miss the Cup week. Victoria prides itself as the sporting capital of Australia; it may be, they certainly know how to create an event.