Group three honours for savabeel filly

31 January 2016

Duchess Kate became Savabeel’s latest black type performer with a fighting victory in today’s Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham. She beat a competitive line-up of fillies with a performance that has trimmed her Gr 1 New Zealand Oaks odds from $21 to $16.

Trained for Sydney owner Max Whitby by Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Duchess Kate headed south with a last-start defeat of the talented Hiflyer on her CV and she dug deeply to continue her winning form under stable jockey Matt Cameron.

“She pinged the machine and Matt got her to relax beautifully,” Richards said. “She’s very tough and it’s great to have a really good filly on the way up. Max and Stevie have been good buddies for years so it’s a great result.”

Duchess Kate enjoyed a good run with cover behind the leaders and wouldn’t be denied in the straight. “She put herself right there and travelled nicely and found the line well,” Cameron said. “She’s still got her quirks, but she’s getting better so it’s onwards and upwards.”

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.

26 August 2026

Shailer pair building nicely into spring campaigns

WS-breds Justin Case and Magice contributed to a memorable season for Kris Shailer in his return to the training ranks last term, and he is hoping they can continue their form into the new season.