Savabeel 4YO Primed for G3 TAB Mile

Media Release - Monday November 11

Tony Pike’s runners haven’t missed a beat in their bid to successfully execute a black-type double for the stable at Riccarton on Wednesday.

The Cambridge trainer has the in-form Witz End and Acquarello in the feature events on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival with Matt Cartwright and Michael McNab their respective riders.

Witz End will contest the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The lightly raced Witz End confirmed his passage south for a crack at the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) with a last-start success at Ellerslie to take his record to four victories and two runner-up finishes from eight appearances.

“He had to win or run extremely well, which he did, and he’s only been tripped up twice and that’s been by two wet tracks,” Pike said.

“Him and Acquarello flew down on Sunday and they’ve both had trips to or from Australia, so they are pretty well travelled and have done well.”

Witz End will have to contend with a wide gate (14) on Wednesday, but the son of Savabeel has proved himself to be a tractable character.

“We wanted to get him into a nice handicap off the minimum and with 53kg it’s worked out perfectly, apart from the barrier draw,” he said.

“It’s probably the best mile start in Australasia with a long run to the first corner so Matt will have plenty of time to decide if he presses forward or takes a sit behind the speed.

“One of his best runs as a three-year-old was coming from well back to run second in the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) so he doesn’t have to lead.

“He’s got a big action and can pretty much do it any way, he’s still learning his trade and is obviously very talented.”

Advertisement

Acquarello is presented with the first black type opportunity of her career in the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

The Written Tycoon mare was a Rating 75 winner at Matamata two runs back before a solid run for third under topweight and will enjoy a 4kg drop.

“She is going really well and got caught wide at Ellerslie and it might have just been a bit on the firm side for her,” Pike said.

“She has come back in great order and she maps to get a nice trip in a smallish field, I think she’ll be right in the finish.”

Raced by Trelawney Stud, Acquarello has won twice for the stable after breaking her maiden across the Tasman at Pakenham when prepared by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.

Pike will also have a small team at Te Aroha on Tuesday and tipped Pierro gelding Golden Century as his best chance.

He will step out in the Riversley Park Maiden (1400m) following a strong debut third at Taupo with Ryan Elliot retaining the mount.

“He’s a nice staying three-year-old going forward and I think he’ll go close,” Pike said.

“He’s a horse to follow as he gets up in trip, he’s got the pedigree and type to be a Derby horse, like so many others obviously, and that’s a long-term plan.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Narrow Miss for Hellbent Gelding in G2 Foxbridge
Lhasa proved he is more than a synthetic track specialist when he nearly caused an upset when finishing runner-up in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Commemorative Retired to Stud
Watching the progress of Godolphin horses as they start stepping our for their new trainers has been interesting to say the least and will get more so this weekend when we see Tom Kitten go around in the Group I MRC Memsie Stakes at Caulfield, but one horse we won’t be seeing again is Commemorative.
First Southern Hemisphere foals for Paddington
A four-time Group I winner by champion French sire Siyouni, European superstar, PADDINGTON, has had his first Southern Hemisphere foals arrive on the ground at Windsor Park.
Was it that Unusual? Who is the Oldest?
There was a lot of attention in the media regarding the age of Australian Horse of the Year elect Via Sistina (IRE) when she returned to racing for a new campaign at Randwick last Saturday, but was it really that uncommon to see an eight year-old G1 winner?
Merchant Navy 3YO Primed for Spring Stakes Campaign
Cody Cole is happy to play a waiting game with Landlock before confirming the three-year-old’s main goals for the season.
Spring Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
There was an interesting set of trials at Hawkesbury on Monday that featured heat winners including Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker as well as the Waterhouse Bott stable Cups contenders Sir Delius (GB) and Vauban (FR), plus we may have seen an Everest horse.
Well Bred Zousain Debut Winner
A full sister to Zousain’s Group III winning filly Drifting, Cheeky Contiki made a winning debut at Pakenham on Monday for the Lindsay Park Racing team.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 12 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Top Filly Beats Top Colt in G1 Prix Morny
The Group I Prix Morny (1200m) at Deauville overnight produced a mightly clash between unbeaten Starspangled banner colt Gstaad and unbeaten filly Venetian Sun with the filly prevailing, although Starspangledbanner got some consolation with a new G3 winning 2YO at Goodwood.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 24
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.