Promising Savabeel Filly Scores for Te Akau

Media Release - Wednesday May 14

Craig Grylls’ near-unassailable lead in the national jockey’s premiership was given a further boost early at Matamata on Wednesday, with deserving maiden winner Viva Glam featuring in his winning treble.

After guiding home Stephen Marsh’s well-bred filly Alacritous and stablemate The Exponent, Grylls combined with the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Viva Glam, a filly having her sixth start in the MBS Advisors 1200.

Craig Grylls guiding Viva Glam to success in the MBS Advisors 1200.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The daughter of Savabeel started a $4 favourite and found a comfortable spot in midfield through the running, while Born This Swey took control of the pace. The leader kicked on the corner but was swiftly caught by Roar Of The Jungle and Viva Glam, the latter finding extra late to kick clear by 1 – ½ lengths.

Collecting his 126th winner of the season, Grylls was complimentary of Viva Glam in the testing conditions.

“She’s jumped away nicely and travelled well throughout,” he said. “She felt like she really handled it and she’s got quite a short action, so I think the wet ground will help her out.

“I think she will (go through the grades), she’s won it pretty comfortably in the end. She’s going to take a bit of natural improvement from that as well.”

Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper was swift in crediting Grylls’ effort, while acknowledging the challenge the filly had posed for the stable through her career so far.

“Terrific ride, he rode completely to instructions,” Trumper said. “Well done to Sam and Mark, they persevered with her as she’s been very difficult. The team have done a wonderful job.

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“She’s always put her hand up on raceday, but she’s probably just lacked maturity. Time’s going to be her friend and she’ll just continue to get better.”

Co-trainer Mark Walker was also glowing of Grylls’ ride, and believes Viva Glam has a bright future instore.

“It was a lovely ride by Craig, who continues to ride very positively, and a good effort by the filly in quite testing ground,” Walker said.

“She got through the ground well, which is really encouraging for this time of year, and the win should give her confidence going forward.

“She’s been a bit of a handful the whole way through, but she’s getting better now, mentally, as she matures.”

Viva Glam was a $350,000 purchase for Te Akau Racing at the 2023 National Yearling Sales when presented in the draft of co-breeder Waikato Stud. She is out of a stakes-performing Iffraaj mare Style By Design, while her grand-dam is a dual Listed winner in Chaparella. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - MBS Advisors Mdn 1200m

Matamata Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:14.60
1
Viva Glam
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Style By Design (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: C J Grylls 55.50
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $380,000
Seller: Waikato Stud, Matamata, NZ
Buyer: L Fernie
NZB Karaka Book 1 $0
Seller: Waikato Stud Ltd
Buyer: Withdrawn
2
1.5
Roar Of The Jungle
- 3g Jungle Cat (IRE) x Bodalay (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: W B Kennedy 57.50
3
4.5
Born This Swey
- 3g Sweynesse (AUS) x Hello M'lady (NZ) (Shocking (AUS))
Tnr: V A Prendergast Rdr: J J Fawcett 57.50
4
5
Classic Champagne
- 3f Contributer (IRE) x Champagne Lady (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ms S P Mynott Rdr: T C Moodley 54
5
5.1
Astrum
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Anthology (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: K R Hercock 55.50
6
7.4
Blusweyhooves
- 3f Sweynesse (AUS) x Bella Blue (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: R R Manning Rdr: K A Myers 55.50
7
7.8
Volunteer
- 3c Ocean Park (NZ) x A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: V A Colgan 57.50
8
11.1
Teddy Baker
- 3g Too Darn Hot (GB) x Posavina (NZ) (Tiger Hill (IRE))
Tnr: S Ramsay & J Ritchie Rdr: A Lawson-Carroll 56.5
9
11.6
Show Merican
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Fibbers (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Mariska Vear Rdr: L H Satherley 55.50
10
12.7
Illuminated Miss
- 3f Sweynesse (AUS) x Hinuera (NZ) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: K L Mcquade Rdr: C R Barnes 55.50
11
13.2
Rosie's Rendevous
- 3f Shalaa (IRE) x Rosetta (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Ms P Gerard Rdr: W F Pinn 55.50
12
13.4
Gracetheace
- 3f Ace High (AUS) x Grace Invader (NZ) (Duporth (AUS))
Tnr: G K Opie Rdr: N S Parmar 54.5
13
14
Marella Miss
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Forever And Ever (IRE) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: Samantha Logan Rdr: Tayla Mitchell 54.5
14
14.5
Vadahi
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Mangaroa Fire (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: M Alam 55.50
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