Impressive Matamata double for Waikato Stud graduates

Former champion stallion Savabeel, who passed away at his Waikato Stud home base in June this year, showed what a loss he has been to the local breeding industry thanks to two impressive winners early in the day at Matamata.

Four-year-old mare Pilates (NZ) (Savabeel) put herself in the frame for higher honours this season with a flashing finish to break her maiden status at just her second start while one race later five-year-old gelding Magice (NZ) (Savabeel) made in three wins from just eight starts, winning first-up off an extended winter break.

Pilates, a granddaughter of dual Group One winner Legs, had finished a well beaten third in her raceday debut at Tauranga back in January before being put aside to deal with some soundness issues.

A quiet pair of trials to prepare her for her raceday return weren’t missed by punters who sent her out the $3.60 Fixed Odds favourite and she didn’t disappoint in the hands of Michael McNab, who allowed her to find her feet in midfield in the early running of the 1200m contest.

Turning for home it looked as though first starter Novere Belle had the field covered, however McNab released the brakes on Pilates, and she hit top gear at the 200m to stride past her rivals and score easily by more than a length at the line.

Co-trainer Sam Bergerson, who prepares the mare alongside training partner Mark Walker, was delighted to see the mare put her best foot forward.

“It’s always a query when they trial like a rocket and then don’t do it on raceday, but we had a really nice build-up after a couple of setbacks and the team at Waikato Stud have done a fantastic job with her,” Bergerson said.

“The tempo (of the race) really aided her and although she was trucking along at the back, Michael was really patient and it was nice to see her show that turn of foot.

“We know the ability is there and we think she can go through the grades pretty quickly, although we will take it one race at a time.”

McNab had some lofty praise for his mount when questioned about the run.

“She was impressive although everyone knew her ability,” he said.

“I think that is going to be the best way to ride hr as she has that explosive turn of foot.

“Hopefully she is a Group One horse.”

Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, Pilates is closely related to dual Group One winner Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly).

Just one race later the Chittick family-owned Magice showed just what he was capable of with a rugged victory in rating 75 company after sitting outside the pace and then kicking clear over the 1200m journey.

Trainer Kris Shailer admitted he thought Magice was forward enough to win after he had battled to get him to full fitness over the previous 12 months.

“I’m absolutely over the moon for the whole Chittick family,” Shailer said.

“He started off his career with Glenn Old before heading over to Peter Moody (in Victoria). He got crook over there and ended up with a chip in a joint, so he never raced there.

“He came back to me and won fresh-up but then got crook again so he had another break and here we are today.

“I actually thought he’d be a pair or two further back (off the pace), but he was just travelling that well it was end of story.

“He is a hard horse to keep the weight off, so we will take him home now and see how he pulls up.”