Kiwi Bred Savvy Oak a Derby Contender

Media Release - Thursday November 1

Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young know what it takes to win a GroupI VRC Derby (2500m).

Savvy Oak The Kiwi conditioners prepared Sangster, a son of Savabeel, to win the blue-ribband event in 2011, while Sully also turned in a strong performance when second from a wide barrier last year.

On Saturday, the duo will have two representatives headed by progressive stayer Savvy Oak (image Darryl Sherer)  in addition to outsider Louie The Legend.

Although only a maiden winner, Savvy Oak found the line well when fourth behind Stars Of Carrum in last Saturday's Gr.2 AAMI Vase (2040m) and his trainers believe his $20 quote is over the odds.

"Savvy Oak has come through his last run in the Vase well," Young said.

"He's paying $20, but I think he should be priced at 11 or 12-1. I think he's a great chance. His work has been super.

"He is a horse that can really back-up. He is jumping around and his work this morning (Thursday) was top-class. I can't fault him."

Like Sangster, Savvy Oak is a son of New Zealand's champion sire Savabeel.

A $95,000 purchase from the Windsor Park Stud draft at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2017 Premier Yearling Sale, Savvy Oak is out of the Group Three winning High Chaparral mare Fairy Oak.

"He's furnished through the preparation and on breeding he wants a trip, as his dam was a stakes winner over 1800m."

Advertisement

Young said Savvy Oak would wear ear muffs pre-race to keep him settled after becoming a little bit warm before the Vase.

Meanwhile, Young believed Louie The Legend is not without a chance despite being well held in 10th last start.

"He probably did a bit too much work in the Geelong Classic and didn't quite finish it off," she said.

"This time he will be ridden conservatively. He has got a little bit of an awkward draw (11) and he may end up a couple of pairs further back than what we would like.

"Dwayne Dunn is happy to get back on him, which is a good sign."

Young believes Thinkin' Big is the horse to beat but is pleased to be represented in the 2500m feature once again.

"It's a good Derby field, but it is just great to have two in it and giving the owners an experience of having a Derby runner.

"They're all over the moon. Both horses warrant being there and I think they will both go a really good race." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pedigree Watch – Juvenile Stakes-Winners
Three new season juvenile stakes races on Saturday produced a $1million yearling purchase that gave Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside the perfect start to his stud career, a pinhook winner turned stakes-winner and a colt foaled in Australia with a Kiwi pedigree.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Probabeel Shows her Class
Superstar three-year-old Probabeel proved a class above her age-group rivals when she made a winning start to her summer campaign over 1400m at Awapuni on Saturday.
Briasa Wins $1million G2 Premiere Stakes- Everest Next
Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile will have a runner in the $20million The Everest and his explosive grey sprinter Briasa will be going into the race in top form following an exciting win at Randwick on Saturday in  the $1million Group I ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m).
Savabeel Blueblood Wins G3 Desert Gold
A copybook ride by Opie Bosson paved the way for promising filly Showbeel to add a valuable black type success to her career record when she took out the first feature race at Trentham on Saturday, the Group III New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Mo'Unga Looking to Bounce Back
Trainer Annabel Neasham is looking forward to stepping out Group One winner Mo’unga in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, where she is expecting to see an improved run from the entire.