Sangster chasing WFA Sydney double
19 March 2013
Top New Zealand stayer Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) will be flown to Sydney later this week in search of further Australian Group One glory.
The Savabeel four-year-old’s domestic form has been red hot this preparation and connections have two more top-flight autumn targets on their wish list before his current programme is reassessed.
“He’ll fly over on Thursday and run in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday and if he races well, hopefully in the first four, he’ll stay on for the BMW,” said co-trainer Trent Busuttin, who prepares the gelding with partner Natalie Young at Cambridge.
“He’ll be dropping back to 2000 metres on Saturday, but he’s done so well that waiting for the BMW, which will suit him a lot better over 2400 metres, would be a touch too far.”
Sangster and regular rider Opie Bosson, who has been confirmed as his Sydney partner, have combined to win the Gr.1 Darci Brahma International Stakes and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup this preparation.
“He had a five day break in the paddock after the cup and he’s come through it really well,” Busuttin said.
“We wanted to get the cup out of the way and it was always in the back of our minds to go over again and I don’t think the weight-for-age horses are outstanding in Sydney at the moment.”
Winner of last season’s Gr.1 VRC Derby, Sangster also holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on May 19.
“The Singapore and Hong Kong races are still an option, but the timing and getting him back from quarantine for the spring are tight,” Busuttin said.
“He can run two miles (3200m) out, a wet track doesn’t bother him, and he’s qualified and done enough to get in to the Melbourne Cup so that would be the plan.”
Source: www.nztm.co.nz
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