Ready to Run a Savvy Derby Hope

Less than a year ago a striking son of Savabeel was knocked down to Sydney trainer John O’Shea at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale, and less than a year later his name was up in lights as Savvy Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) romped home in the Group 2 A$235,000 Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Savvy Nature (NZ) wins the Group 2 Mitchelton Wines Vase at Moonee Valley.

The John O’Shea trained Savvy Nature started race favourite in Saturday’s Group 2 event carrying strong form into the race, having already won the Group 3 Spring Stakes this campaign and being Group 1 placed at his last start.

Ridden by Kiwi jockey James McDonald, the Savabeel gelding dropped to the tail of the field early in the race. As the race started to heat up McDonald improved his position around the field and swept to the front at the top of the short Moonee Valley straight.

The three-year-old was inclined to hang in over the final stages but pulled away from his rivals to win comprehensively by three lengths on the Good3 track.

Fellow Karaka graduate Pinstripe Lane (NZ) (Pins) followed Savvy Nature into the race and finished well in third position.

A start in the Group 1 Victoria Derby appears to be the next race on Savvy Nature’s agenda.

“Very proud of Savvy Nature and Savabeel and we are looking forward to Saturday’s Derby,” commentated owner Max Whitby.

“I leave for Europe next Wednesday and I fly back to Sydney for one night before heading to the Ready to Run. We will be having a good look at the Savabeels again.

 “We sold Savabeel and we bought shares back in him and of course he got beaten in the Derby by a nose by a horse that never raced again in Plastered so we are out for a little bit of revenge in my eyes any way.”

The NZB Ready to Run Sale has produced six Derby winners worldwide since 2010 including Sangster (NZ), also by Savabeel, who won the Victoria Derby in 2011.

Carrying the colours of Max Whitby - who enjoyed Group 1 success with another of Savabeel’s progeny in Scarlet Lady (NZ) (Savabeel) - Savvy Nature has now had seven starts in his career, winning three races with minor placings in his other four starts.

He has now earned $346,150 for his owners Whitby Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr G M Brown, Mr J D Melick, Mrs J Melick, Mrs S L Pilkington, Mr N G Rockley, Mr A M Rowley-Bates, Placanica, Mr T St James & Mrs R St James.

Bred by ABP Enterprises Ltd, Angus Taylor Family Trust, Little Avondale Trust & Storm Thoroughbreds Ltd, Savvy Nature is out of the unraced mare Generous Nature (Carnegie), a daughter of Listed winner La Lagune (Danehill).

John O’Shea Racing purchased Savvy Nature for NZ$200,000 from Lyndhurst Farm at the 2012 Karaka Ready to Run Sale. The forthcoming edition of the Ready to Run Sale on 19 & 20 November will feature 14 two-year-olds by the young sire.

Savvy Nature’s win is a great endorsement for the fast-approaching Ready to Run Sale, with the Sale also boosted by stakes wins by Atlante (Fastnet Rock) in New Zealand and Super Ninetyseven (Show a Heart) in Singapore over the weekend.