Colt remains in Guineas mix

8 October 2015

The door is still ajar for What’s The Story to push his way through to Riccarton.

Co-trainer Stephen McKee concedes that time is against the impressive debut winner getting to the Gr.1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas, but he hasn’t entirely ruled it out either.

“The Guineas is probably too soon, although it will depend on his next start,” he said.

“At this stage it is unlikely, but if he came out and won impressively again then we would have to seriously think about it.”

What’s The Story came off a trial placing to break his maiden in eye-catching style at Ruakaka last week.

“There’s the option of running him next in a rating 65 race, but stepping straight out of a maiden against the older horses isn’t easy so he’ll probably go to the three-year-old race over 1400 metres at Wellington on October 24,” McKee said.

Should What’s The Story make his Trentham trip a successful one, McKee might find the Christchurch option a difficult one to resist.

“If he wins there then we will be thinking more of the 2000 Guineas. Otherwise, there’s options around Christmas time,” he said.

Longer-term, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby is an obvious target for the colt, who has the background to suggest he will appreciate more ground.

“He’s by Savabeel out of a Carnegie mare so he’s bred for it and he’s got a turn of foot,” McKee said. – NZ Racing Desk.

Back to Savabeel news

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.