Winning strike for Savabeel 3YO
Okataina produced a gallant effort to shed his maiden tag at Kembla Grange on Saturday afternoon.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained son of Savabeel had been a multiple placegetter before breaking through with a dominant front-running performance over 1600 metres.
Okataina was quickly into stride to make the running under rider Adam Hyeronimus and was cruising at the top of the straight.
The three-year-old forged clear with 350 metres to run and held a sustained gallop to score at his eighth appearance.
He was bred by Waikato Stud, who remain in the ownership group, and is the first foal of the American-bred Shackleford mare Mystery Lake.
She is a half-sister to the stakes winner Great Notion and a family that has made its black type mark in New Zealand through the Listed winners One Kiss (Canterbury Belle S.) and Santa Catarina (Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre S.).
Mystery Lake’s Savabeel colt was sold to trainer Anthony Cummings for A$200,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She produced a Savabeel filly last year and is in foal to Super Seth.
The Corner with Garry Chittick
Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.
Read More
Smart Love too smart this start
Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.
Read More