Savabeel’s Son Back In Gr.1 Business

Savabeel’s star staying son Sangster added to his top-flight record at Te Rapa on Saturday with another dominant Gr 1 victory.

The four-year-old was far too good for his weight-for-age rivals in the Darci Brahma International Stakes.The winner of the VRC Derby has been patiently handled since his Flemington success and was turned out after he had performed below par the following autumn.

Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have brought him slowly to top form again and with the prospect of further Gr 1 honours next month.

“We’ve been mindful of getting him into the Auckland Cup with a winning weight and very wary of the hard tracks,” Busuttin said. “He’s never really let down on them before but today he has. The race was run to suit with good tempo and he’s a solid stayer.”

Sangster and Opie Bosson raced away in the straight to score by two and three-quarter lengths. “We’ll probably back him up now in the Avondale Cup next weekend,” Busuttin said. “He’s a big, gross horse who needs his racing and Opie is the best in the business – he’s proved that again today.”