Savabeel Siblings with Stakes Goals

Media Release - Wednesday February 13

Savabeel siblings Hasahalo and Hasabro made a pleasing return to the track on Tuesday for Ardmore trainer Stephen McKee at the Cambridge trials.

HasahaloGroup One-winning mare Hasahalo hasn't been sighted on raceday since her unplaced run in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) last year and McKee is keen to make up for lost time with his mare.  (2400m) last year and McKee is keen to make up for lost time with his mare.

"Hasahalo hasn't raced for about 11 months now, apart from a trial in the spring," McKee said.

"I am very happy with the way she finished off her trial. She went nice and felt good for Sam (Spratt, jockey)."

McKee said Hasahalo will likely make her raceday return over the Auckland Cup carnival, with an eye towards Australia over winter.

"She'll probably race at the Cup carnival at Ellerslie and we will just assess her from there as to which way we go," he said.

"She has missed nearly a year, so she'll be able to race somewhere in Australia right through the winter.

"Queensland is a possibility and we have nominated her for a couple in Sydney as well, so we'll just see how her form is in these early stages."

Advertisement

Hasahalo's full-brother Hasabro, who was on a path towards the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) in the spring, also made a return to the track on Tuesday where he finished unplaced in his 800m heat.

"I am really happy with him," McKee said. "He hasn't raced since Geelong in late October.

"He just had a bit of a leg injury that day, so he has had to bide his time. He has come back well, it was only a half-mile trial and the day out has done him well."

McKee is unsure of what path he will take with the three-year-old colt and hasn't ruled out a potential Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) tilt with his charge.

"We are probably a bit behind schedule, although the Brisbane carnival could be okay," he said.

"We are in the same position as we were before (in the spring), we have to get a rattle on as far as wins and stake money go." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Shamus Award Mare Quintessa Cracks $1million in Prizemoney
Karaka graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) became a millionaire and a dual Group One winner with a stunning last-to-first performance in the $400,000 Group One Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Toronado Withdrawn from Service
Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.
Vale, Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock was a crowd pleaser when paraded as a living legend at the Coolmore stallion parade last month, but sadly this spring was to be his last. 
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).
El Vencedor Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Rich Hill Stud’s standing as a centre of thoroughbred excellence has been further emphasised with El Vencedor named New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.
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.
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
New G1 Winner for Wootton Bassett
Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.
Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G3 in South Korea
Australian bred Deep Field gelding Self Improvement was the pride of Hong Kong on Sunday when the Manfred Man trained gelding captured the Group III Seoul Korea Sprint (1200m) in South Korea.
Savabeel Colt Secures Karaka Million Start
Te Akau Racing’s quest to win the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) for the fourth year in succession was bolstered considerably when Cool Aza Beel ensured his place in the field with a dominant victory at Tauranga on Friday.