Savaglee (NZ) All Class in Classic

Top-class Karaka graduate Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) collected his fourth consecutive Group victory with another sparkling performance in Saturday’s $400,000 Group Two Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham.

The winner of the Group Two Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), Group Two Sarten Memorial (1400m) and Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in the spring, Savaglee has now had 13 starts for seven wins, two placings and $974,975 in stakes. He was bought by The Oaks Stud for $400,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2023.

Trainer Pam Gerard gave Savaglee a break after his 2000 Guineas triumph in early November, and by her own admission, she did not present him in absolute peak condition for Saturday’s return to racing. But he once again showcased his clear superiority over his contemporaries in the 2024-25 crop of New Zealand three-year-olds.

Jockey Sam Spratt slotted Savaglee into a handy position in second, trailing stablemate Suit Yourself (NZ) (Savile Row) up to the home turn.

Savaglee strode into contention in the straight while still under a firm hold from Spratt, and the result was in no doubt from there. Spratt pushed the button and Savaglee raced away, scoring by a length and three-quarters.

“I’m relieved,” Gerard said. “That was absolutely amazing.

“You sort of know what you’ve got and it makes your job harder, but you hope you have done everything you can with a horse coming back from a bit of a let-up. It’s really cool. I‘m super happy for The Oaks Stud and for the horse.

“Sam has so much confidence in this horse. Before the race today, she said to me, ‘Don’t worry. He could come from last and still win anyway.’ That’s obviously the feel he gives her. He’s a top horse who’s got his confidence up now, and that is great.”

Spratt has now ridden Savaglee to six wins and a placing from only seven rides.

“He’s just really grown into a mean racehorse now,” she said. “I’m not sure what they’ll do with him next, although as a stallion prospect, that Group One status in Australia would be so important for him in the long run.

“I think he’ll be competitive anywhere. He’s just getting better and better. He’s brilliant. He’s right up there with the best I’ve ever ridden. I’ve always thought he’s a nice horse, but it’s amazing how much he’s improved.”

Vendor	Waikato Stud Ltd
Purchaser	The Oaks Stud (Waikato)
Breeding	Savabeel – Glee
Sale	Lot 210, Karaka 2023 Book 1, $400,000
Bred by	Waikato Stud Ltd