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

WS-breds shine at the Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival

Last weekend saw many retired racehorses and their careers compete in various disciplines, and one star who shone brightly was Eden Pearson’s 10-year-old ott horse, Tango. Once racing as Does It (Pins ex Just Be Cos), Tango raced 45 times, winning on five occasions and accumulating prizemoney of $275,550 before retiring in June 2024.

13 September 2026

David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened wins at Sha Tin

With Hong Kong’s new season just two weeks in, it wasn’t long before the progeny of Ardrossan stepped into the winners’ circle and at the second Sha Tin race meeting of the season, it was David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened who won by a length over 1400m.