Smooth as Savasilk - 3 Win Friday

Following second and third with Cambridge Stud debutante two-year-olds, it was fitting that Savasilk  (3 f Savabeel - Silk Pins, by Pins) won the $12,000 H&T Crucial Rating 65 1400 metres on 4 March at Awapuni.

A day earlier at Rotorua, two-year-old Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) fillies Marvelouz and Royalz carried the Cambridge Stud colours (black & yellow chequers) with credit, each getting home strongly.

Stud owners Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay have had a terrific association with Te Akau, especially through the deeds of Horse of the Year Probabeel (Savabeel) and Champion Two-Year-Old Sword of State (Snitzel), and experienced another highlight when Dynastic (Almanzor) became the sixth consecutive Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) for Te Akau in January, providing their stallion with a monumental first Southern Hemisphere victory.

Beautifully bred Savasilk had finished second to fifth four times before striding clear with real purpose to win a Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres on 9 February at Ruakaka, collecting a $11,500 NZB Pearl Series Bonus, and it was no surprise she was able to win again immediately.

Registering a hat-trick for Te Akau, leading apprentice Joe Kamaruddin worked Savasilk into a good position nearing the 600m and she displayed tenacity getting in the deciding late strides.

On Good3 footing, Savasilk ran 1400 metres in 1:23.1 and paid $3.60 & $1.40 on NZ TAB tote.

“Savasilk won well, needing the length of the straight to get there which bodes well for the future when she steps up to a mile,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“Joe (Kamaruddin) is riding in super form, showing confidence, so he's in good shape and the horses are in good shape too.

“She won narrowly but well and is another that will improve with more time to mature and is a nice mare for Mark (Walker) to work with when he's at the helm.”

For Richards, the win by Savasilk was his 19^thin 11 days, and came during a week that saw Self Obsession (Shocking) become the stable's 100^thwin this season in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m), with prize money exceeding $5 million.

Within three days, his tally is now 105 and over 40 clear of second place in the premiership.

Savasilk was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $360,000 at 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from draft of Cambridge Stud. She is by NZ six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from a Pins (Snippets) mare that finished second in Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and was Second Top Filly on the NZ 2YO Free Handicaps.

“She was a filly that had plenty of class, from a really talented mare, and it was hard to overlook her pedigree,” Ellis said.

“Silk Pins actually won on debut as a two-year-old when beating our Champion Two-Year-Old Warhorse (General Nediym), so that showed what a good filly she was and we kept an eye on her from then on.

“I've been out inspecting the Cambridge Stud yearlings again today, here at Karaka, and they've got another really good draft at the sales.

“It's always a special thrill to see horses win that I've bought for Brendan and Jo, and as I keep saying, they deserve all the success they get because they put so much into the New Zealand racing industry.

“It's been an incredible period for the stable, with five winners in the last two days and every horse in the first three today, and two trebles this week.

“None of this happens without the hard work put in by all our team members at Te Akau, whether in the offices or on the ground with the horses, and all the track work riders.

“I'm so proud of Joe (Kamaruddin). His goal is to win the Apprentice Jockey Premiership. He's in front and pinning his ears back and we'll give him all the support we can. Our other apprentice, Parmar, is also doing a fine job and these young guys keep our senior riders like Opie (Bosson) right up to their best, too.”

Savasilk was strapped by Lydia Truesdale.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz