Son of Savabeel Makes Group Two Ascent

Well-related Karaka graduate Ascend The Throne (NZ) (Savabeel) took his promising career to new heights in Wednesday's $160,000 Group Two Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa.

Ascend The Throne was bought by Te Akau Racing's David Ellis for $575,000 from Milan Park's draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2022. He has now had four starts for two wins, earning $107,375 and showing no sign of stopping there.

After eye-catching finishes over shorter distances in his first two starts, Ascend The Throne has put together a flawless two-from-two record over 2000 metres. He dominated a Matamata maiden on January 10, then stepped up to Group Two company three weeks later and delivered Wednesday’s powerhouse performance.

Drawn the inside gate and ridden by Opie Bosson, Ascend The Throne jumped well but eased back as others pushed forward and came across from wider gates.

Bosson had the promising stayer travelling sweetly throughout the race, and when the front-running Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) drifted out at the home turn, it was Ascend The Throne's time to strike.

Bosson drove him through that opening and he took command, fighting hardest of all down the straight to edge out Mosinvader (NZ) (Vadamos), What You Wish For (NZ) and Zabmanzor (NZ) (Almanzor) in a blanket finish.

“We got a beautiful run and the gaps just opened too easily for us, really,” Bosson said. "He got there a bit soon and had a look around, but he’s a very good young stayer and he’s still learning. He tends to get a bit hot, but he’s well behaved and has a good brain.”

The Waikato Guineas is a key lead-up to the $1m Group One Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) in early March, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson see Ascend The Throne as a strong candidate for the Ellerslie classic.

“Obviously barrier one helped today, he got a lovely run and Opie gave him a 10 out of 10 ride,” Bergerson said.

“Cody Cole’s runner (Renegade Rebel) hung around the corner, so he got the perfect split up the straight. To be fair to the horse, he looked like he was going to be bombed late, but he heard them coming and kicked back, so it was a really tough, good win.

“We’ve given him a lot of time, and knew once he got over ground, that would be his go. He’s delivering on that and looking very promising.

“He looks like a really nice Derby chance going forward, so we’ll head to the Avondale Guineas (Group Two, 2100m), then on to the Derby.”

The 141st individual stakes winner by champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel, Ascend The Throne is out of Thee Achiever (NZ) (O’Reilly), who is also the dam of the multiple Group Two and Group Three placegetter Achieve (NZ) (Pierro).

Vendor	Milan Park
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	Savabeel – Thee Achiever
Sale	Lot 10, Karaka 2022 Book 1, $575,000
Bred by	T V Rider