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.
Recent News
28 January 2026
Patch Of Cosmo’s stunning comeback sets up Hong Kong Classic Mile showdown
In the sixth instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, Manfred Man’s Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth) is in the spotlight after returning from injury with a striking victory at Sha …
Read More
26 January 2026
Ardy party rolls on with new Hong Kong winner
James McDonald and Gold Patch opened proceedings at Sha Tin with a determined 1000-metre victory. The Ardrossan gelding held off strong pressure to score for trainer Francis Lui, continuing the stallion’s impressive strike rate in Hong Kong.
Read More