Second Spring Classic for Sir Albert (NZ)

NZB National Weanling Sale graduate Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel) has gone back-to-back in the $80,000 Listed Spring Classic (2000m), emphatically defending his crown at Riccarton on Saturday.

Sir Albert was bred by Waikato Stud and offered in the 2020 National Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, where he failed to meet his $50,000 reserve. He has now earned over $500,000 for his ownership group, which still includes Waikato Stud’s Mark Chittick.

The Terri Rae-trained Sir Albert has had 36 starts for nine wins, nine seconds, four thirds and $504,050 in stakes. In addition to his two Spring Classic successes, he has also been a dual Group Three runner-up in the TAB Mile (1600m) and the White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m).

Sir Albert carried 55.5 kilograms to win last year’s Spring Classic and rose to 58 kilograms on Saturday, but the result was the same with Leah Hemi in the saddle on both occasions.

Hemi settled Sir Albert in fifth and one off the rail on Saturday before presenting him on the outside of the leaders at the home turn.

Sir Albert quickened and dashed into a clear lead, and he went on to win by three-quarters of a length from the strong-finishing favourite Hakkinen (NZ) (Savabeel).

“He travelled into the race nicely, but when he was in front, all I was thinking was that it’s a long way down that straight,” Hemi said.

“We got into a perfect spot during the running, and the tempo was good, although I thought it may have been a little stronger.

“He always goes through a flat spot around the 600 metres, so I had a growl at him, and he picked up the bit and travelled strongly from there.

“He can sustain a good gallop, but I could see the shadow of Hakkinen getting closer, so I was watching that and then the winning post and hoping it came up first.

“He is really going well and took a wee while to pull up round the back straight. He is going to the TAB Mile, where he ran second last year, and I think he is going just as well this year.”

The Spring Classic produced a quinella for the legendary late Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel, and it was a trifecta for NZB graduates.

Runner-up Hakkinen was a $250,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing’s Sir David Ellis from Book 1 of Karaka 2023. He has shown bright promise in a 16-start career that has so far produced three wins, five placings and $128,255 in stakes.

The third-placed Court Of Appeal (NZ) (Eminent) was also bought by Ellis, along with Fortuna Racing, for $20,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. She has had 27 starts for five wins, six placings and $120,570 in prize-money.

Vendor	Waikato Stud Ltd
Breeding	Savabeel – Diana Dors
Sale	Lot 64, 2020 National Weanling Sale, Psd (Res $50,000)
Breeder	Waikato Stud Ltd
Owner	M J Chittick, L Dungey, C A Fischer, D H Herbert, P D & Mrs P M McBreen, S W McLeish, Mrs H Rae, T Rae, C Richards, R Richards & Est late S G Tooley