Noverre Nails It
20 February, 2021
Appearing to have a mortgage on the race, Noverre (2 c Savabeel - Magic Dancer, by Rip Van Winkle) duly delivered in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 19 February at Wanganui.
Having won both trials before running home in the fastest last 600m (35.1) on the day, when finishing second on debut in the Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 25 January at Matamata, Noverre was strongly supported ($1.40) to win second-up.
“He drew a nice barrier (1), showed gate speed, but when they came to pressure him Opie (Bosson) did the right thing and took a hold,†said trainer Jamie Richards.
“It was good education and I think he'll improve a lot for the trip away and a win. I liked the way he got back, got the outside and finished it off. He wanted to be there and wanted to attack the line. I think that's a really good attribute for young colts like this to possess.
“He's a colt we've loved since first seeing him prior to the yearling sales and Dave (Ellis) picked him out as one of the best Savabeel colts in the sale that year.
“He's a beautiful horse, very athletic, short back and moves really well, and he's quality from head to toe.
“We've got some great owners in him and he's the type to keep developing into a lovely three-year-old.
“I'm not sure where he sits at the moment amongst the two-year-olds, but next season he's a really nice 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) sort of colt.â€
In the race sponsored by Palamountains Scientific Nutrition, Noverre ran the 1200 metres in 1:13.0 on footing with the sting out (Dead5).
Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, owned by Te Akau 2020 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By the ultimate champion stallion Savabeel (Zabeel), the dam side of Noverre features super sire Galileo (Sadler's Wells), the sire of Rip Van Winkle, with grand-dam Dazzling Belle being by Desert Sun (Green Desert), who sired winner of 13 Group One races Sunline.
He is the first foal from Magic Dancer (Rip Van Winkle), who figured among the top echelon of two-year-olds when racing in 2014-15. As a two-year-old, Magic Dancer coasted home to win the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m).
“I thought it was a really nice run from a horse that has been beautifully educated and what we've seen from him so far looks pretty exciting for the future,†Ellis said.
“Opie (Bosson) rates the horse and wanted to go all the way to Wanganui to ride him. I was pleased that he took him back near last, amongst runners, and taught him something, and he found plenty in the straight.
“He's one of the most beautiful animals we've ever had in the stable. He was bred by Garry Chittick and we had to see off some strong under bidding from Hawkes Racing, who train at Rosehill, and Flemington, but in order to retain these top prospect colts in New Zealand sometimes you've got to stretch.
“We all see him developing for a spell and coming back as a Group horse at three. It's always exciting with a high priced colt to see the purchase justified, especially when we think he's got a lot of improvement in him.â€
Noverre has a Nureyev/Northern Dancer cross through the dam line of Zabeel (Sir Tristram), sire of Savabeel, and each side in the pedigree of dam sire Rip Van Winkle.
Noverre was strapped by Sarah West.
Photos credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
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