Savabeel 3YO Impresses at Ruakaka

Media Release - Saturday June 19

Progressive three-year-old Witsabouthim provided the biggest glimpse yet of his undoubted ability as he came from last on the home corner to convincingly defeat his age group rivals over 1600m at Ruakaka on Saturday.

The well-bred son of Savabeel made it two wins in a row after breaking his maiden status over the same distance at Hastings last month, however he gave his many supporters cause for concern this time as he tailed the ten-horse field for the majority of proceedings.

Savabeel is the sire of Witsabouthim.

Rider Michael McNab didn’t panic as he angled the Tony Pike-trained runner to the outside in the home straight where he produced a sustained finishing burst that carried him to a dominant two-length victory.

Pike was thrilled with the win as he had been concerned during the race that his charge appeared to be labouring a little.

“I was a little worried as the early pattern of the racing was that you needed to be on the speed and here we were dropped out last,” he said.

“He didn’t jump that well as he stood in the gates for quite a long time, but he relaxed beautifully and when Michael clicked him up, he got to the leaders pretty quickly.

“When you see him relax like he does, it makes his future prospects over more ground very exciting.”

Advertisement

Pike will now send his charge to the spelling paddock for a short break before getting him ready for a summer campaign.

“He can have three or four weeks in the paddock now as he just won’t cop the true winter tracks,” Pike said.

“That will give him a chance to do some more growing and fill out his frame, before we bring him back in.

“While there has been plenty of interest in him, if he isn’t sold then we will just try to take him through the grades before tackling some of the better staying races here.

“He is pretty well graded, so we might even take him to Melbourne as the prizemoney there is too good to pass up if he can be competitive at the right level.”

Purchased by Pike for $250,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2019, Witsabouthim is the son of useful racemare Miracle Miss who won five races and was placed at Group Three level. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Marsden Cove Dental 3yo 1600m

Ruakaka Track: Dead(6) Time: 1:37.20
1
Witsabouthim
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Miracle Miss (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57.5
2
1.8
Igottadoitmyway
- 3f Super Easy (NZ) x Astrogal (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms Kim Knight Rdr: A J Calder 55.5
3
2.0
Lapel
- 3g Pins (AUS) x Costume (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: L H Satherley 57.5
4
2.3
Nonaame
- 3f Duelled (AUS) x You're Sensational (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C R Isdale Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53
5
2.5
Mongolian Wings
- 3g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Dolce Bella (NZ) (Postponed (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 58.5
6
3.0
Straightshooterdeb
- 3f Swiss Ace (AUS) x Badgirldeb (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: T R Powell Rdr: S T Collett 54
7
3.2
Whetu
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Tonality (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: S R Weatherley 57.5
8
8.8
Be Somebody
- 3g He's Remarkable (NZ) x Sometimes (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: T L Newman 54
9
11.6
Gregory
- 3g Sweynesse (AUS) x Talladega (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: T A Donaldson Rdr: S C Spratt 56
10
12.4
Barracuda
- 3g Complacent (AUS) x High Clarity (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: D B Hollinshead Rdr: J Kamaruddin 53
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
SWs in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel headline the June (Early) Online Sale
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline another intriguing catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.