Mabeel (NZ) Leads Home Karaka Graduate Trifecta in Flying Handicap

Quality sprinter-miler Mabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) headed a trifecta of Karaka graduates when he scored a runaway win in the $50,000 Listed Fairdale/Goodwood Studs Flying Handicap (1400m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

On the same day that his stablemate Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock) ran away from his rivals in the Group 1 Australian Derby, Mabeel produced an explosive performance of his own to emphatically erase any doubts over his ability to cope with rain-affected conditions.

Rider Sam Spratt sent the five-year-old straight to the lead and he stayed there, moving further and further ahead of his opposition and sprinting down the straight to win by four and a quarter lengths.

“He pretty much jumped out and left them to it,” co-trainer Natalie Young told the NZ Racing Desk. “Sam just had to hang on and he did it easily.”

The win was Mabeel’s sixth from 12 career starts and boosted his stakes earnings to $162,610. Bred by Plans Awry Ltd and put through the Karaka sale ring by Shelby Park, he was bought for $80,000 by his Hong Kong-based owner Deborah Ho at the 2012 Premier Sale.

The second placegetter was the Go Racing-owned Seize The Moment (NZ) (Pins), who cost $50,000 at the 2012 Premier Sale. Third was Scapolo (NZ) (Bachelor Duke), who cost $40,000 at the 2011 Select Sale and has won more than $560,000.