Double Strike For Savabeel (June 7 2010)

Savabeel continued his hot form with a trans-Tasman double yesterday from a pair of well-related WS-bred three-year-olds who look certain to make their mark in good company. In Melbourne, Savaging notched his first victory when he was a convincing winner over 1200 metres at the Ballarat meeting.

It was the colt's first appearance since he had finished a good sixth in the Listed Gothic Stakes in the spring behind subsequent Gr 1 SA Derby winner Kidnapped. Savaging is out of the Centaine mare Gio and a half-brother to Singapore Gr 1 winner Arenti (O'Reilly), Gr 3 Lion Red Plate winner Crepe De Chine (Pins) and Melbourne Listed winner Glam Slam (Pins).

It is also the family of star WS mare and dual Gr 1 winner Glamour Puss (Salinger Stakes, Goodwood Handicap). Top trainer Danny O'Brien parted with $300,000 to secure the colt from the Matamata farm's Premier Sale draft in 2008.

Savanur was also part of the travelling party to Karaka that year and the half-brother to Gr 2 Gasmate Stakes winner Sarajay (Danasinga) was purchased for $200,000. He showed early promise for Matamata trainer Peter McKay before transferring to his brother John at Wyndham and has now won his last two starts by decent margins.