Savabeel Claims Another Group One Title

The growing influence of young WS stallion Savabeel was further evidenced at Flemington this afternoon when his son Sangster stole the show in the Gr 1 VRC Derby. The three-year-old credited his sire with a second top-flight success following Scarlett Lady’s Queensland Oaks triumph with a powerful staying performance to trump his age group rivals.

The Matamata farm’s expectations of Savabeel, whose daughter Dowager Queen earlier placed in the Gr 2 Wakeful Stakes, have been fully realised with his progeny developing their best form at three and older. The Cox Plate and Spring Champion Stakes winning son of Zabeel has also produced the Gr 2 Brisbane Cup winner Tullamore who has placed in both the Gr 1 Caulfield Cup and Gr 2 Moonee Valley Cup during his spring preparation.

Sangster’s win was the first major victory for his Cambridge trainer Trent Busuttin, the son of top conditioner Paddy who is now based in Macau. “It’s amazing, there are so many people to thank, so thank you,” Busuttin said. “I can’t describe how good I feel. It’s fantastic, a dream come true.”

Despite racing three wide, Sangster traveled comfortably with cover before the horse he was following, Eagle Command, “punctured” at the 600 metres. “I didn’t want to come out from behind it but I had no option and he just took me into the race,” Bowman said.

Sangster then stormed to the front at the 400 metres and, after striding clear, had enough in reserve to see the race through. “When we got to the last 100 metres he started losing his way and I was really worried because he was on his last legs but we got there,” Bowman said.