Savabeel Stayer to Target Queensland

Media Release - Monday April 14

Multiple Group-winner Nereus is being set for a Queensland campaign after powering into second in Saturday’s Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Trentham.

The Waikato Stud-owned son of Savabeel has a strong affinity with the Upper Hutt course, having won the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2400m) last year before finishing sixth in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) in Victoria.

Nereus is bound for Queensland after placing in Saturday's Listed Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m).   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

His trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray opted to take a different path with the gelding this season, winning the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) before testing his abilities over the two miles of the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), which wasn’t to his liking.

Returning to 2200m, Nereus was right at home and after getting back, he recorded the fastest sectionals of the race to just come up short to Mehzebeen, who found the shortest way home up the rail.

“It was a fantastic run, he’s had a little break since the Wellington Cup and he went a brave third first up, which led into this race,” Ritchie said.

“I’ve got no doubt that he just didn’t run the two miles out there, it’s the only blotch in his record book really. He ranged up on the corner, but he just didn’t run the two miles out.

“He always tries extremely hard, he’s got the kindest nature and he’ll be a beautiful pony for a kid when he’s finished racing. He never dances in the birdcage, he just does everything you ask him to do and he puts in on raceday.

“His mark area is a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half, so I think if we stick in those distance ranges, then he’s going to do well.”

Few opportunities remain for Nereus on home soil, so the stable are looking further afield with a likely kick-off point being the Gr.3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on May 17.

Advertisement

“There’s really a limited amount left for him in New Zealand now, so at the sales, Mark Chittick (owner) suggested that we take him to Queensland for the Brisbane Winter Carnival,” Ritchie said. “There is a stream of races that will suit him over there.

“I’ve still got to confirm with Mark, but he’ll probably fly over in early May and the first run for him would be the Chairman’s Handicap then the Premier’s Cup (Gr.3, 2400m), but there is a laundry list of cups races for him, like the Caloundra Cup (Listed, 2400m) and Ipswich Cup (Listed, 2150m) as well.

“He doesn’t mind a bit of cut in the track and you can often get a bit of rain in Queensland through the winter carnival there, so I’m sure that won’t be a bother to him at all.”

Joining Nereus on the trans-Tasman journey will be newcomer Davideo, Ritchie’s latest purchase out of the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale in England.

On a previous visit to the sale, Ritchie secured Mahrajaan, who went on to win the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 Auckland Cup (2400m), and was ruled out of running in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) last November in a vet inspection.

The Cambridge horseman, alongside De Burgh Equine, outlaid 130,000gns to purchase Davideo, a five-year-old by Galileo who made his first Kiwi appearance at the Ellerslie trials on April 3. 

“He’s being set for the Brisbane Cup (Gr.2, 3200m),” Ritchie said.

“He’s a Galileo horse and is very much in the same mould as Mahrajaan. He’s looking like a two-mile sort of horse, he’s had one barrier trial so we’ll give him a run over a mile somewhere before he goes and he’ll be a good partner for Nereus for that campaign.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Savabeel Stayer Wins G2 Awapuni Gold Cup
Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray continued an outstanding season with their stayers when up-and-coming star Nereus powered home to win the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Stud Colours Carried to Victory
It was a rewarding day for Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray at Cambridge on Wednesday, with the local training partnership heading home with a winning double.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a five winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Savabeel Stayer wins G3 Counties Cup
Promising stayer Nereus put his current campaign back on track when he captured an action packed Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) on Saturday.