G1 Spring Champion Stakes for Sangster

24 August 2011

It’s all stations go to the G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) on October 1st for the Savabeel 3YO Sangster, following a gritty Warwick Farm win on Tuesday.

Prepared and ridden by Kiwi combo Trent Busuttin and James McDonald, Sangster delivered what was a first-up win in Australia in the 1200m contest, fighting home on the heavy track to score by 0.1 of a length.

“Wait until he gets over 2000 metres which is what we brought him here for, he’ll be pretty hard to beat then. He’s bred to stay,” commented McDonald.

A 6.3 length debut winner in May, Sangster has now won two of his three starts and has won each of his two trial outings.

The smart Savabeel is likely to step out next in the Listed Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Randwick on September 3.

Sangster was a NZ$19,000 Ready to Run Sale purchase by his trainer and has so far rewarded connections with $21,375 in the last 3 months.

Bred by Emblem Ltd, he lays claim to an international pedigree. He is a son of the winning Irish-bred Spectrum mare Quinta Special. She is from the family of the dual American Gr 1 winner Both Ends Burning (Hollywood Invitational, Santa Anita Oak Tree Handicap).

Wolfy reacts well to change

A tactical change by trainer Nicky Ryan saw Tivaci’s son, Wolfy, triumph at Flemington on Saturday. Dropping back to 1200 metres with blinkers applied, the Waikato Stud-bred four-year-old stormed to victory under Ethan Brown, showcasing a powerful finish to secure his third career win.

18 January 2025

Frustrating runs ends in style

Slipper Island returned to winning ways at Trentham with a powerful finish over 1200 metres, ending a 17-month drought despite consistent form with seven placings. Trainer Tony Pike praised the stable favourite, describing him as “frustrating but talented.” A son of No Nay Never, he was purchased for $180,000 at Karaka.