Winner: Sabatini Aces It

Making it two from two and securing a hat-trick on the programme for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Sabatini (4 m El Roca – Amarantha, by Van Nistelrooy) won the $17,000 Rating 65 1100 metres on 13 May at Matamata. 

Having trialled well prior to racing and recording a debut victory in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1200 metres on 27 April at Ellerslie, Sabatini brought winning form and shaped to race well again, but required luck from a wide draw (11).

With his eye in and riding his fourth winner on the day, including three for Te Akau, Michael McNab had Sabatini away smartly to cross and lead, was taken on at the 700m, but remained held before quickening at the 300m and she dashed clear to win by two and a half lengths.

Although not overly endowed with physical presence, Sabatini is an athletic mare that obviously has her heart in the right place, as indicated by winning her first two race day starts. 

On Members' Day, in the race named Shout Out to All Our Matamata Racing Club Members, Sabatini ran 1100 metres in 1:05.8, last 600m in 35.8, on Soft7 footing, and paid $4.10 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She showed plenty of pace from the wide draw to go forward and lead, and it was a nice ride of Michael’s to control the speed,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

“She quickened up nicely to put a margin on them in the straight and it's great for her to record back-to-back wins at the start of her career for Gerry Harvey.

“She’s had a few setbacks with injury, but the Westbury Stud team has seen the potential in her, given her plenty of time, and is seeing the rewards.

“I was impressed with the way she quickened and it was a really good win up in grade.”

Assistant trainer Reece Trumper, on course, said: “She’s a very progressive mare and had trained on well since winning at Ellerslie, where it’s not easy to win your first start. She’s got a big future.

“We didn’t think she’d be leading, in fact we thought the stable-mate Carsolio might lead them up, but he just didn’t have that early speed today.

“But Sabatini seemed happy to settle there and big thanks to Gerry (Harvey), Russell (Warwick), and Luke McDonald, they support the team a lot, so we appreciate having their colours in the stable.

“She’s starting to go off a little bit in the coat, heading into winter, so she might be telling us she’s ready for a break, but she’s taken a little while to mature and just going to keep getting better with age. 

“She’s four, rising five, they’ve been patient with her and they’re reaping the rewards now.”

In training for breeder/owner Gerry Harvey (Westbury Stud), sporting his royal blue and white crossed sashes, Sabatini is by Westbury Stud resident sire El Roca, a son of Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), who was a terrific racehorse, winning two stakes’ races over 1200 metres and a strong Group performer that also was Group 1 placed. 

El Roca has two Group 1 winners to his credit, one being Romancing The Moon, bought cheaply as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, who displayed plenty of conviction when winning five times to 1600 metres, including the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m).

The current season has been a highlight for El Roca, with his progeny achieving plenty of success: Dream Roca won the Karaka Millions 2YO, Swiss Prince in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial, Lollapalooza won the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes, and Atmospheric recently won the Listed Anzac Mile. 

Sabatini is the fourth individual winner for stakes' placed and winning mare Amarantha, whose progeny has now won 13 races, while the third dam Kiwi Magic (Vice Regal) produced dual Group 1 winner Flitter (Bluebird), a Champion Older Mare in Australia. 

Sabatini was strapped by Rashid Alam. 

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