Savvy derby trial

Savvy Nature did his Gr 1 VRC Derby prospects no harm with a strong performance to place in the Gr 1 Spring Champion Stakes this afternoon. The Savabeel three-year-old found the line strongly over the 2000 metres at Randwick and the extended trip at Flemington looks tailormade for him.

The John O’Shea-trained gelding got back in the running and was doing his best work late to finish third and continue his impressive progress. He won the Gr 3 Spring Stakes three runs back before finishing runner-up in the Gr 3 Gloaming Stakes.

WS stallion Savabeel also featured in the black type action at Caulfield where Floria resumed with a sound third in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes. Trained by Peter Moody, she was making her first appearance since a third placing in the Gr 1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm during the Queensland winter carnival.