Derby hope predator dazzles on debut

31 December 2015

The Mark Chittick-bred Predator opened his Gr 1 New Zealand Derby campaign in dominant fashion at Taupo yesterday. The highly-regarded son of Savabeel made his first appearance from the stable of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young a memorable one with a dashing debut victory.

Sent out a short-priced favourite after two trial placings, the three-year-old went straight to the front and had the race won a long way out. He was travelling comfortably across the top and bolted away in the straight to win by a wide margin.

“It’s nice to see him do it so easily,” Young said. “He’s going to be a better autumn horse and he is on a Derby path. We might look at the mile race on Karaka Million night, we’ll see how he comes through this first.”

Purchased for $75,000 out of WS’s 2014 draft to Karaka, Predator is out of the Listed Warstep Stakes winner Bird (Danasinga). “He’s by Savabeel so he’s definitely going to get over a trip,” Young said.

Back to Savabeel news

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Another year nearly passed, I could never work it out when my parents would express the view on how the years passed so quickly. When young, one always looked forward to the next happening; it seemed we waited forever. Now I dwell on the past and want it to last forever.

16 December 2025

Villing Ram Impresses In Trial Victory For Noverre

Having finished fourth in his first trial back in September, the Paul Pertab-trained Noverre colt Villing Ram upped the ante on December 16, scoring an impressive two and a quarter length win in just his …