Savaglee Likely to Spell

Media Release - Monday March 3

Gun three-year-old Savaglee will likely head to the spelling paddock following his heroic runner-up performance behind fellow Kiwi-bred Feroce in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.

A close secon in the G1 Australian Guineas last Saturday, Savaglee is likely to head home for a break - Race Images

Racing in The Oaks Stud’s familiar colours, Savaglee has been a standout in his three-year-old term for trainer Pam Gerard, winning the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and placing in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) prior to Saturday’s result.

While he was unable to get the chocolates at Flemington, The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams was rapt with his performance and said it indicates the best is yet to come from the Savabeel colt.

“It was terrific,” he said. “It was quite a significant lift on his run at Te Rapa (in the BCD Group Sprint). As Mick Dee (jockey) said, he is right up to Group One form, he was just a bit on the steel early and that cost him in the last 100m. That is just practice and experience at that level.

“I am very happy with him. He is a very sound horse. I think he is still a bit of a baby and is improving, like most Savabeels, the good ones get better with each year. I think he has still got his best races in front of him.

“It (Saturday’s result) has only added to his value, the way that the media and the people that I respect are talking about his performance. He is right up there with the best three-year-olds over here (Australia) and another day, another way, he might have won.

“I think a very good horse (Feroce) has beaten him and a horse that you will see more of as they go deeper into the autumn.”

Nominated for Saturday’s Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington, Williams said Savaglee would more than likely take his place on a mid-week flight back to New Zealand and enjoy some time in the paddock.

“I put a nom in as an afterthought (for the All-Star Mile),” Williams said. “We will see what the ratings are like, he has bounced through the race incredibly well.

Advertisement

“I haven’t had a talk with Pam, but at this stage he is booked to come home on Wednesday and that will be the end of his three-year-old season, and that is more than likely what is going to happen. We will just watch the noms and see what happens over the next 24-hours to make a final decision.”

Meanwhile, The Oaks Stud filly Alaskan will press on to the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) later this month following Sunday’s unplaced run in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Trentham.

“She got in an awkward position back and then went for the run at the top of the straight and got shut right out, so it was a non-event,” Williams said of the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained filly.

“If she has bounced through the race, I am still very keen to go through to the Oaks now.”

While The Oaks Stud has plenty to look forward to with Savaglee and Alaskan, the racing career of fellow promising three-year-old Cypher has likely ended.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly was set to line-up on Champions Day at Ellerslie this weekend but has been ruled out after she was injured in a track incident.

“I am pretty certain she won’t be able to race again,” Williams said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Savaglee Ready to Take on Older Rivals
Savaglee has conquered all before him at age-group level in New Zealand, and on Saturday, the star colt will take on the older horses in a star-studded edition of the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m).
Mulberry Racing Secure Everest Slot
Racing NSW today announced that Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest for a term of three years commencing with the running of this year’s race.
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?
Profondo Weanlings Impress
The first progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Profondo made a favourable impression during the NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka on Thursday.
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Savaglee Ready to Pick Up Where He Left Off
Glamour colt Savaglee will commence an exciting summer programme at Trentham on Saturday, taking his place in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m).
Savaglee Pushing on to G1 Australian Guineas
Gun New Zealand three-year-old Savaglee got his first taste of Australian racing on home soil on Saturday when placing behind Aussie raiders Here To Shock and Bosustow in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, and his connections are now looking forward to testing his talents across the Tasman.
Savaglee Trial Impressive
Eight Group One performers were put through their paces in a star-studded 1100m trial before the eight-race twilight card at Matamata on Friday, and it was standout three-year-old Savaglee who came out on top.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka.