Saturday NZ Double - Spellcraft Super

Putting his best foot forward, Spellcraft (3 g Savabeel - Bewitching, by Pentire) won the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres on Saturday at Avondale.

Having produced notable efforts for third and fourth, respectively, at his previous two starts, Spellcraft broke through at his fourth attempt and did so in compelling fashion.

Beginning smartly to lead, Spellcraft set things up nicely in front for Champion Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, cornered well turning for home, and found plenty to win with a handy buffer.

In the race named BirdCare Aotearoa, Spellcraft won by one and a quarter lengths, running 1:35.8 on Good4 footing, and returned $5.10 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“He's been improving all the time and he'll just keep getting better as he matures and continues to develop,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“It was a nice ride of Joe's. He controlled the speed and was too good.”

A horse with good conformation and action, Spellcraft was purchased by David Ellis CNZM as a yearling for $220,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park, and owned by Te Akau Mystical Power Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Te Akau continue their phenomenal record with the progeny of all-conquering eight-time Champion Sire and Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winner Savabeel (Zabeel), including four-time Group One winner and dual Horse of the Year Probabeel, and other Group One winners Prise De Fer, Amarelinha, Savy Yong Blonk, Noverre, Embellish, Hall of Fame, Shillelagh, Cool Aza Beel, The Perfect Pink, and Sword of Osman.

Spellcraft is from a young mare by versatile and quality sire Pentire (Be My Guest), while grand-dam Midnight Babe, a daughter of the influential quality sire Kaapstad, a son of legendary stallion Sir Tristram, was a fast multiple stakes winner that also finished second in the Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), who in turn is from a stakes winning mare. 

It is the family of Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner Hardline (Showcasing), dual Group One winner Perlin (Carnegie): Underwood Stakes (1800m) and Doomben Cup (2200m), and Xpression (Showcasing), winner of the Wakefield Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and also placed in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “He's a nice tidy colt and the young mare is doing a good job at stud.

“He's correct, athletic, walked well, and overall just a good sort of horse by our Champion Sire.

“Pentire is also a quality sire that we feel has the makings of a really good broodmare sire.”

Spellcraft was strapped by Jess Allen.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz