Royally bred colt Savaglee lived up to his impeccable breeding when he gave his rivals a galloping lesson at Trentham on Saturday.
The son of Savabeel and O’Reilly mare Glee comes from a family that boasts a host of Group One winners including brilliant two-year-old filly Good Faith and champion New Zealand three-year-olds Aegon and Daffodil.
The flashy bay had produced a professional display to win over 850m at the Te Awamutu trials earlier in the month and brought the same impeccable manners to his raceday debut as he jumped straight to the front in the hands of apprentice Niranjan Parmar in the 900m scurry.
It was clear that Parmar had a lapful of horse turning for home and when he released the brakes, the Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained runner bolted away to win easing down by four lengths from Sunrise, another debutant who chased gamely in the run home.
Gerard was delighted with the display which should see her charge qualify for a start in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January.
“We’ll work backwards from the Karaka Million, send him home for a week long break at The Oaks Stud, but I think he’s the type of colt that will benefit by continuing to tick over so we’ll plan a few more races for him,” Gerard said.
“He’s very professional, fast, and done everything right so far as a two-year-old colt.
“We thought the race served as a nice option to get some coin in the bank and also give him a trip away.
“The footing came up ideal and he’s probably exceeded my expectations a bit in the way that he won.
“He hasn’t been off the bridle yet, so, yes, it’s pretty encouraging to see him win in that manner.
“Niranjan got a good feel of him at the Waipa trials and he’s done a really good job, getting him out cleanly, and looking after him in the run where he was sitting pretty.
“Keeping him ticking over is probably the best way to manage him, to help prevent him getting too coltish, and he’s a pretty fit and ready sort of horse.”
Bred by Waikato Stud, Savaglee is owned by The Oaks Stud who purchased him for $400,000 during the Book 1 Sale a Karaka earlier this year.
The $23,000 prizemoney cheque sees him currently listed in first place on the order of entry for the rich Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) to be run at Ellerslie on 27 January.