Savaglee on track for Group 1 target

High-class Savabeel colt Savaglee has taken another winning step in his quest for a top-
flight title.

The three-year-old showed the steely side of his nature at Matamata where he overcame a
less than ideal run on Wednesday afternoon to reign supreme in the relocated G2 Hawke’s Bay
Guineas.

Trained on the course by Pam Gerard, the Waikato Stud homebred was caught wide without
cover near the pace before he finished determinedly for rider Sam Spratt to prevail in a tight
finish.

“I’ll take that, they don’t usually go our way,” Gerard said.

“He was a little bit fresh today and he got posted out three deep, he had to do it tough so I’m
glad he got the job done.”

Savaglee has now won four of his 10 starts for owners The Oaks Stud, including last
season’s G3 Matamata Slipper, and his latest success has him a $5 equal favourite for the
G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

He will round off his preparation for the Riccarton Classic in the G2 James & Annie Sarten
Memorial at Te Rapa on October 28.

“He’s building up well and I don’t think the distance will be a problem, we want that Group 1,”
Gerard said.

Spratt has partnered Savaglee in all three runs this preparation for two wins and a runner-up
finish in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy and is confident the best is yet to
come.

“It was such a tough effort and I think there’s huge improvement in him,” she said.
Savaglee was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National
Yearling Sale with The Oaks General Manager Rick Williams having the final say at
$400,000.

The colt is out of the O’Reilly mare Glee, who had a Savabeel filly last season and is due to
foal again to the champion stallion.

Glee is a half-sister to the dam of dual Group 1 winner Orchestral and the family of fellow
elite level winners Daffodil, Atishu, Aegon and Good Faith.