Savabeel Colt Stakes a Claim for Victoria Derby

Mark Smith - Sunday September 18

After enjoying a red-letter day at Caulfield, the Kiwis look to have a serious Victoria Derby contender in Savabeel colt Mr Maestro.

Ridden by Damian Lane for Andrew Forsman, Mr Maestro came with a barnstorming finish to defeat the Kermadec colt Kapakiri by one and three-quarter lengths in Sunday’s Penfolds Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington.

Mr Maestro has a real Derby pedigree (image Grant Courtney)

The favourite Major Beel (Savabeel) was a further one and a quarter length back in third.

It was the third Australian start for Mr Maestro, who won over 1300m at Avondale at two and was third in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe Park.

“We brought him here with the staying races in mind. I was a bit nervous about the heavy track conditions as he has not raced for a month - going 1800m, I thought it was a tough effort,” Forsman said.   

Advertisement

“There is a bit to go between now and (the Derby), so hopefully, he can continue to improve.

“We have a few options and haven’t pencilled anything in yet. We could consider dropping back to the mile and having a go at the (Caulfield) Guineas.

“We will see what Damian has to say, but he has plenty of options.

“He is well-bred, and pedigree takes you a long way. It’s now up to him, but he has continued to improve, and I thought for the first time that he looked a proper racehorse.”

Purchased by his trainer for $100,000 from the Windsor Park draft at Karaka in 2021, Mr Maestro is the second foal of the Group II placed Rip Van Winkle (IRE) mare Let Me Roar, who won six of her seven starts.

Mr Maestro a $100,000 Karaka yearling

A sister to stakes-placed Lubaya, Let Me Roar is a half-sister to Lion Tamer. He won the 2010 Victoria Derby by six and a half lengths for Forsman’s recently retired partner Murray Baker and later added the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.

A Charm Spirit colt out of Let Me Roar sold for $80,000 at Karaka earlier this year.

Advertisment

Race Result - Penfolds Victoria Derby Prev. 1800m

Flemington Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:56.33
1
Mr Maestro
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Let Me Roar (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Damian Lane 56
2
1.8
Kapakiri
- 3c Kermadec (NZ) x Oriental Lady (GER) (Doyen (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Prebble 56
3
3.1
Major Beel
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Gram (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
4
6.7
Distrustful Award
- 3g Shamus Award (AUS) x Distrustful (AUS) (Trusting (AUS))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: Dean Holland 56
5
7.7
Rocket Boy
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Angel (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: J Noonan 56
6
9.0
Armalite
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Impulsive (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
7
10.2
Ra Ra Grandpa
- 3g Dissident (AUS) x Second Draw (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: D Oliver 56
8
11.0
Mogadishu
- 3g Fiorente (IRE) x A Ma Shay (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: B Mc Dougall 56
9
11.1
Final Overture
- 3g Iffraaj (GB) x Hot In Pink (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: M J Dee 56
10
26.1
Matopo
- 3c Fiorente (IRE) x Haraka (AUS) (Foreplay (AUS))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: Fred W Kersley 56
More Reading...
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
G3 Moonga Return for Mr Maestro
On the anniversary of the biggest win of his career so far, classy New Zealand-bred gelding Mr Maestro will race in black-type company on Caulfield Cup Day again in 2023 – this time in his first run back from an injury lay-off.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Sires With Winners - Friday August 8
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ozzmosis First Born is Feeling Frisky!
Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis was in demand at Newgate last spring covering 192 mares and his first born foal that arrived on July 31 at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds is the source of great pride for owners Ian and Cathy Mathieson.
Wootton Bassett Set to Blast Out of Winter
Many people may have anticipated Wootton Bassett (GB) would have been our Champion Australian First Season Sire last season and while that didn’t quite eventuate, he did finish the season with a wealth of horses holding spring potential and several were in action at the trials this morning.
Above the Clouds Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
It proved to be a long but fruitful day for Kelly Myers on Friday, with the now Central Districts-based hoop riding home Above The Clouds to win the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge for local trainer Ralph Manning.
One to Watch – Geelong
Team Hawkes were the guiding force behind the racing career of Group I ATC Doncaster Mile winner Brutal and have also prepared his first Group I winner as a sire in Nepotism and they unleashed a debut winner by him at Geelong on Friday.
Breeders Paradise - Inglis Digital August (early) Online
An abundance of high-quality broodmares – many in foal to some of the hottest young stallions in the Southern Hemisphere – and broodmare prospects headline a “breeders’ paradise’’ in the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.