Smart 3YO in Derby contention
Regally-bred Savabeel three-year-old The Chosen One might be on a plane to Australia next week.
Following his impressive win in today’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic, his connections will ponder a tilt at next weekend’s Gr.1 Australian Derby.
“We will have to have a think about that,” co-trainer Murray Baker said.
“If he was to go to Randwick, we would have to fly him over on Tuesday. “I was confident of a big run today though.“
The Chosen One was part of a four-strong challenge on the race for the stable.
“I thought they all had a show as they were fit horses and had run well with their previous form,” Baker said.
“It’s always good to come back and race and win here.”
The Chosen One is owned by a large group that includes his breeders Joe, Martin, Ray and Tony Dennis.
He the first foal of outstanding South Island race mare, The Glitzy One, who won eight races and was stakes-placed on multiple occasions.
The brothers have enjoyed an outstanding run of success with the family of The Chosen One.
It includes his third dam The Jewel, an O’Reilly mare who was a two-time Group 1 winner of the New Zealand 10000 Guineas and the Waikato International Stakes.
Savabeel: 2001—2026
Savabeel walked through our gates in 2005 and never stopped giving. Twenty-one years on, we said goodbye to our old friend, a horse who didn’t just shape a breeding industry, he defined one. There will never be another quite like him. Rest easy, Sav.
Read More
The Corner with Garry Chittick
I gave The Corner a miss last week. After all, how could I compete with the expose Mike Guerin published in the NZ Herald. Let’s be fair, I am sure the two of you who …
Read More