Milford returns to winning ways

Savabeel’s multiple stakes-winning son Milford ended a lengthy baren spell when he stormed to victory at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.

At a distance below his best, the Michael Moroney-trained representative downed a big line-up over 1600 metres in the hands of Declan Bates.

It was the Waikato Stud graduate’s first win since he was successful for the second time at Group 3 level in the Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield in November 2022 to go with a previous triumph in the Easter Cup.

Unplaced when opening his current campaign last month, Milford settled second last and was still well back on the turn before unleashing a sustained burst between runners to get the upper hand in a driving finish. 

A brother to recent winner Savoir Faire, Milford was a $360,000 Karaka purchase with bloodstock agent Bruce Perry signing the ticket.

He is out of the O’Reilly mare Etiquette, a sister to the ate multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire Sacred Falls, who produced a brother to Ilford last season and is back in foal to Savabeel.