Savagram set for stakes test at Rosehill

Promising Savabeel colt Savagram (NZ) will be given an early opportunity to confirm his spring credentials when he steps up to stakes company in Saturday’s Gr.3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained three-year-old is one of three runners for the stable in the A$250,000 feature, alongside Plagiarism (Written By) and Savvy Diamond (NZ) (Savabeel).

Savagram and stablemate Plagiarism share favouritism at $4.50, while Savvy Diamond is rated an $11 chance.

Savagram makes the significant leap from maiden company following an impressive debut victory over 1200m at Canterbury earlier this month, where he led throughout under Tim Clark and accelerated strongly to score by a length and a half.

Bott has been pleased with the progress Savagram has made since that performance and believes Saturday’s race will provide a valuable guide to where the colt fits among Sydney’s emerging three-year-olds.

“He's a beautiful horse, a really imposing individual,” Bott said.

“I thought it was a very impressive performance that we saw at Canterbury on debut.

“He's open to some nice improvement which we have seen him take during his training leading into Saturday and the further we can stretch him out, the better he is going to be suited, but I feel there is a good deal of class about him.”

The Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick remains the likely longer-term objective for Savagram, although Bott is keeping an open mind about his programme.

“We have got him down as a Spring Champion Stakes horse at present and while we are working towards that, we haven't closed the door on any other options as well,” he said.

“I think we will learn a lot more about him each run and the improvement that he takes. We are willing to adapt where we need to.”

Regular rider Tim Clark shares Bott’s high opinion of Savagram and believes the colt has the physical attributes to develop into a high-class three-year-old.

“He's got good size, he's a well put together horse,” Clark told Racing NSW.

Clark acknowledged Saturday represents a substantial rise in grade but believes Savagram’s professionalism and natural ability will stand him in good stead.

“It's never easy going from a maiden to a Group race but he's a really nice horse, he's quite progressive, and it'll be interesting to see how he measures up,” he said.

“We'll find out where he's at and where he should possibly head. I really like the horse, he's a really nice colt I have a lot of time for.”

Savagram is a full-brother to the stable’s 2023 Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Group Three winner Solid Gold (NZ) (Savabeel).

Bred by Waikato Stud, Savagram is by champion sire Savabeel out of the O’Reilly mare Gram and was sold by the Matamata nursery for A$325,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick retained an ownership interest in the colt, who will carry 53kg and jump from barrier three under Clark on Saturday. – NZ Racing Desk