Saturday Double - Savoir Faire Superb

Course/distance winner Savoir Faire (6 g Savabeel – Etiquette, by O’Reilly) returned to winning form with a terrific performance in the $50,000 Comag Open Handicap 2000 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

The winner of five races over 2000 metres and stakes' placed in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m), Savoir Faire had campaigned well from the Te Akau stables in Melbourne, recording wins on the home track at Cranbourne, Pakenham and Caulfield and although tripped up by heavy footing last time out, he had shown his readiness when hitting the line well in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 31 January at Ellerslie.

Stepped up in distance by Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, after resuming with two starts over a mile, Savoir Faire dropped to the rear after drawing the outside of nine runners for stable apprentice Hayley Hassman (a2), was eight lengths away at the 600m mark, but quickened into contention at the 300m and closed strongly to reel in Dunstan Stayers' Final winner Maldini near the line.

It was a very good effort to claim the last start winner, a polished ride by an apprentice jockey doing a great job, and provided some telling evidence that Savoir Faire has plenty more to offer.

“We were really happy with him leading up to his second-up run here a couple of weeks ago but of course we had all the rain and the downpour just before his race put paid to his chances,” Bergerson said. 

“Up in distance to 2000 metres and into an Open Handicap, he dropped a lot of weight to carry only 52kg and Hayley (Hassman) is riding in fantastic form. 

“He handles a little bit of cut out of the track and he’s enjoying it back here in New Zealand. 

“He finished really strongly to win, so we’d expect him to progress nicely out of the race and we are certainly looking forward to the rest of the autumn with him.”

On Soft6 footing, Savoir Faire ran 2000 metres in 2:02.9, last 600m in 35.7 (approx.), and paid $4.50 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

Considered the pick of progeny by Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel) at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, Savoir Faire was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Ohukia Lodge, and owned by Te Akau 2021 RTR Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“He was a staying type, a real Derby type to my eye, when we bought him and the way he finds the line over 2000 metres is testament to that,” Ellis said.

“He’s now recorded all five wins over 2000 metres and it’s exciting for the owners to have him back winning races in New Zealand.

“He did a great job from our stables in Melbourne, winning three times, but just met his mark as he got up in grade and we decided to bring him home and get his confidence back with some good performances.”

No other buyer (David Ellis) or stable (Te Akau Racing) has had more success with the progeny of Savabeel (Zabeel) - and shares are still available in a striking Savabeel colt from  Karaka!

Ellis has selected, bought, and Te Akau has trained more Group One winning and Group winning progeny by Savabeel than anyone else.

The list includes Group One winners now at stud: Embellish, Cool Aza Beel and Noverre, and other Group One winners: dual NZ Horse of the Year in Probabeel (4), Prise De Fer, Amarelinha (NZB Filly of the Year), Hall Of Fame, Sword Of Osman, Skew Wiff, The Perfect Pink, and a host of other stakes' winners by the remarkable sire.

Ellis also purchased Damask Rose (Savabeel) as a yearling at Karaka, and last year she won the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) and inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m). She has since been twice Group 3 placed in Melbourne this season.

On Karaka Millions' night, Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson produced another Savabeel rising star filly when Belle Cheval impressively won the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), after finishing third in the Group 1 1000 Guineas (1600m). Following her impressive last start victory in the Group 3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) she is well favoured for the upcoming $4 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) next Saturday (7 March) at Ellerslie. 

The dam of Savoir Faire, Etiquette, who has also produced dual Group Three winning brother Milford (Savabeel), is a sister to quadruple Group 1 winner Sacred Falls (O’Reilly) who, while successful, unfortunately had his time cut short as a stallion at Waikato Stud, when euthanised after producing four crops. 

Savoir Faire was strapped by Kohen Collett. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz