Star Savabeel Mare Skew Wiff Primed for Flemington

Media Release - Wednesday October 4

Trainer Mark Walker is hoping his talented mare Skew Wiff can bring her New Zealand form to Flemington on Saturday where she will line-up in the Gr.2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m).

Skew Wiff will kick-off her Australian campaign in Saturday's Gr.2 Rose of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North

The Waikato Stud bred and raced four-year-old made a great start to her spring preparation in her homeland, finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in August before scoring her maiden Group One victory in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings last month.

Her performance sealed her trip across the Tasman to join Te Akau Racing’s newly-established Cranbourne barn and Walker is hoping she can continue the stable’s great start in Victoria.

“She carries the Group One winners’ penalty, but she has earnt it, she is a Group One winner and we think that she is a nice mare,” Walker told Racing.com.

“She did have all favours in the Tarzino, she had a nice draw. She has a very short sprint and Opie (Bosson) tactically rode a brilliant race to hold her up as long as he could.”

The daughter of Savabeel was runner-up in the Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), and Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) last year, and Walker believes she will be ideally suited to the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney next month.

Advertisement

“She was placed in a couple of Group One races as a three-year-old but probably 1400m is her pet trip and if she went well enough (on Saturday) we would consider going up to Sydney for the Golden Eagle,” Walker said.

Meanwhile, Walker reported stable star Imperatriz has come through her win in the last Saturday’s Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley in good order and is on track to return to the Melbourne course later this month to contest the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).

“She was a little bit scratchy the next day but by Sunday she was pretty good and was pretty bouncy again, so we are really happy,” Walker said.

“It (Manikato) should be really good for her. She is pretty versatile, as a three-year-old she won up to a mile, so 1200m will be a perfect fit.

“She will probably go and have a look at Flemington one morning, we are hoping (prior to the Manikato). I will have a chat with Ben (Gleeson, assistant trainer), but we might even be able to take her back to The Valley on the Monday or Tuesday before she runs there again as it is four weeks to the Manikato.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Weather Watch for Skew Wiff Ahead of G1 on Saturday
Only one part of Skew Wiff’s build-up to the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday has not gone to plan for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and it is a factor beyond their control.
Big Saturday Looming for Waikato Stud
Saturday is shaping up to be an exciting afternoon for Waikato Stud, whose colours will be carried by key Group One contenders on both sides of the Tasman.
Group One Winning Savabeel Mare Retired
It was an emotional day at Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stables on Sunday when co-trainer Sam Bergerson farewelled Skew Wiff for the final time following her retirement from racing.
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.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
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.
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?
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday that featured some interesting winners including stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill, a couple of unraced youngsters by Zoustar and the highest priced yearling by Prague.
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.
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.