High class mare Savanna Amour proved she’s in the top echelon of Australian sprinters with a superb win in the Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caufield on Saturday. Carrying topweight of 58 kilos and jumping from the barrier 11, Savanna Amour jumped sharply and after covering a bit of extra ground for the first 200 metres she got to the lead and turned the race into a procession. After running brilliant sectionals, she kicked clear at the top of the straight and had enough in reserve to win from Legless Veuve and Ravi in a smart 1.09.42. “This was a super win because she had to be used early to get across from her outside draw and she had to do it into a very strong wind. At the end of the day it takes a very good horse to work extremely hard early and then sprint again over the concluding stages,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “The quality of the win is told when you look at the times Savanna Amour was recording. “She ran the 1200 metres 0.3 seconds faster than the open sprinters. but she ran two sub 11 second sectionals from the 1000 to the 800 and again from the 800 to the 600. In fact, from the 1000 to the 400 she ran a stunning 32.17 for her 600. “The final proof as to how good this mare’s win was is shown by the fact that she then was able to run the fastest sectional from the 400 to the 200 in 11.20. That turn of foot quite simply put the race out of the reach of the backmarkers.” Grant Morgan said the sectionals were clearly superior to the open class sprinters and considering the fact that Brave Smash is supposed to be running in the Everest Sprint, it’s obvious Savanna Amour had the pace to match some of Australia’s best sprinters. “There’s a case to be made that she is a high-quality sprinting mare because she’s now won three of her last four starts all over 1200 metres and run some pretty spectacular times. Her only defeat in those four races was on an unsuitable heavy track at Sandown. “I think some pundits failed to realise how good she was winning the Gold Coast Guineas back in May when she ran 1.08.42, including a sparking 33.86 for her last 600. “She’s now won four of seven starts at 1200 and been placed twice and she’s now shaping a fantastic career record with six wins out of 12 starts and earnings just nudging over $500,000,” said Grant Morgan. Saturday’s win marked a notable first for Meagher Racing with the stable’s Victorian licence now held by Chris Meagher, son of John Meagher. That move came about without John Meagher deciding to ease back from his training career and Chris returning from Singapore to take charge of the new Meagher Racing base at Mornington. “It was only our second runner from the new stable so to win a Group 3 race so quickly was fantastic,” said Chris Meagher. “She’s been a terrific mare from day one for the stable and there are plenty of suitable targets remaining for her during the rest of the spring carnival in Melbourne. We will just ensure she pulls up well after this latest win and then pick another suitable race, but at first look she seems to have come through the race in terrific fashion,” said Chris Meagher. Congratulations to the winning connections of Savanna Amour: Dennis and Del Bates, Laraine Blades, FRF Racing (David Fitzpatrick), Haimes Racing, Bob and Gladys Harvey, Rob Hill, Paul Kitching, Bill and Glenys Knobel, Phil and Anne Leonard, Danny Lesjak, Paul McGavin, Dave Moretti, Barry Muller, Mark Ostermeyer, Darren Smeath, Dennis and Colleen Walker, Dale Watts and Peter Hanan. Ontrack’s highly promising filly Che Bella Vita shed her maiden status at only start two with an impressive Gold Coast win on Saturday. The daughter of champion stallion I Am Invincible kicked off her career with a sound fourth at the Sunshine Coast and made the necessary improvement with a comprehensive performance to win at the Gold Coast. “She is a progressive filly and raced very well at her debut in what proved to be a very competitive QTIS maiden at the Sunshine Coast,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “The filly showed improvement both physically and mentally with the first-up run and she paraded in fantastic order at the Gold Coast. “She definitely benefitted from the experience at the Sunshine Coast and in the run she was able to relax and take a trail. When rider Bridget Grylls asked her to go through a gap early in the straight she was very game and pushed her way through for an authoritative win. “Ontrack has had a good opinion of Che Bella Vita for some time and she proved that to be correct because not many horses clear maidens at their second start so we look to the future with a fair degree of optimism,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer John Meagher said Che Bella Vita was a very promising filly and Saturday’s win won’t be here last. “She has always shown plenty of ability but she is a late November foal so we have been conscious of that all the time and have tended to kiss and cuddle her. “One of her greatest attributes is a fantastic nature and she’s just a delight to do anything with and that’s a trait that will stand her in great stead. “We are confident that she is going to be a very good filly and she is going to be a lovely horse in six to 12 months’ time. “We will take our time with her and look to manage her carefully as a young horse so we are probably leaning towards giving her a bit of a break because she has done a fantastic job this preparation and we wouldn’t want to deviate from that patient approach,” said John Meagher. A $60,000 purchase from the 2016 Inglis Easter Sale, Che Bella Vita is a daughter of four times Melbourne city winner Bella Cassani, placed at Group 3 level. “She was a late foal and so presented as a bit backward at the sales, but I thought she was a lovely type who would blossom and develop into a nice horse with time,” said Grant Morgan. “Being by I Am Invincible out of a Group performing mare means she is worth a lot more than her purchase price so the plan will be to look after her and work her way through the grades. If she’s able to get some black type then her residual value would be fantastic as she has Group One winners Mr Prudent (Sydney Cup) and Zamination (Metropolitan) in her immediate family,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners of Che Bella Vita: Ontrack Bella Cassani Syndicate, Babu 4 Syndicate (Manager Prof James Dale), Paul Ashley, Judy Bandidt, Greg Bowers, Michael Byrne, Raceball Syndicate (Manager Michael Clarkson), Bill Clough, Haimes Racing, Bob and Gladys Harvey, John Maroney, Long Line Syndicate (Manager Colin Ninness), Geoff Radburn, Maureen Rusk, Neil Tappe and Les Tenni. Pocket rocket sprinter Impregnable continued his super run of form with another big win at Doomben on Saturday. The nuggety son of I Am Invincible completed a 24 hour hat-trick of wins by Ontrack Thoroughbred horses following wins by Zoff Of The World at Ipswich on Friday evening and Che Bella Vita at the Gold Coast. “It’s certainly been a fantastic start to the season with Ontrack horses and there’s not a horse in our team going better than Impregnable,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “Saturday’s win was his fifth win from seven starts since we moved him to Toby Edmonds on the Gold Coast and he’s run third and fourth in the other two. “After his previous run when he also won at Doomben, Toby popped the horse out for a week at his farm and kept him up to the mark with a bit of treadmill work and that’s freshened him up and he was pretty dominant on Saturday. “We’ve never had a horse stay up for so long and simply keep putting in every time you send him to the races. “He’s a true example of what makes his sire I Am Invincible a champion stallion in that they are genuine and sound racehorses who put in every start. “We paid only $40,000 for Impregnable at the 2015 Inglis Classic Sale and our only regret is that the days of buying yearlings by I Am Invincible for that sort of money are well and truly gone. “Since we paid $70,000 for Brazen Beau from the first crop of I Am Invincible we have bought another seven yearlings by the sire and we’d like to buy plenty more but sadly the market price just keeps going up and up,” said Grant Morgan. Toby Edmonds reported Impregnable had come through his race in fantastic order and continues to thrive in spite of a busy campaign. “He pulled up in fantastic order for a horse that’s been pretty busy, so we will let him enjoy a week in the paddock at the farm and then reassess. “He is really working through the grades in pretty impressive fashion and we will just see how he comes through the latest win before making any firm plans,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners in Impregnable: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 syndicate, Steve Mauger, Matthew Maguire, Sansom Hue, Brett Grogan, David Worthley, Ken Stocks, Wayne McCubbin, Jenny Edington, Ryan Lawlor, Peter Condon, Lisa Saxton Dan Paton, Ricky Kim, Garry Batchelder, Philomena Syndicate (Manager Di McDonald). “Problem child” Zoff Of The World finally put everything together to score an emphatic win at Ipswich on Friday. The John Meagher-trained son of Zoffany has caused his connections plenty of angst with wayward behaviour before and during many of his racings, but he showed the benefits of the patience and experience of his trainer at Ipswich. Managing Director of Ontrack Thoroughbreds Grant Morgan said Zoff Of The World has been a classic example of the need to develop and nurture a young horse. “He has his share of ability and has always shown something, but he has been a horse that gets wound up pre-race and often wants to race too fiercely. patient in trying a variety of gear on the horse and they have finally got him settled and starting to deliver on some of that early promise. “In many large stables, a horse like Zoff would simply be a victim to the system because some adopt a ‘one size fits all’ approach. We reckon he’s got the ability to stretch out to a middle distance but before you do that the horse has to learn and develop racing manners and Ipswich showed he is doing that.” Grant Morgan praised rider Michael Cahill’s input with the horse. “Michael rode him three times before Ipswich, but missed the win due to commitments at the Sunshine Coast Friday night meeting. “Michael is a great rider with fantastic hands, and his experience and advise proved extremely important in getting Zoff back to the winner’s stall. “Ontrack appreciates the understanding and patience from our ownership with Zoff and hopefully there’s more success in store,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer John Meagher said Zoff Of The World had been a work in progress, but he was grateful that the tide appeared to be turning. “He’s had ability all along, but he had been his own worst enemy most times. He would often get badly stirred up before his races and when he got on the track he simply wanted to rush out of the gates and go flat out. “We’ve tried some gear changes in his trackwork and race day gear and that looks to be working. The ear muffs have probably made the biggest difference so it’s upwards and onwards. “He’s a horse with his fair share of ability and I reckon there’s still physical improvement to come with him so he could develop into a useful stayer. “He is a son of Zoffany out of a Galileo mare and has only just turned four, so the best is probably yet to come,” said John Meagher. Contratulations to our owners in Zoff Of The World: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No I Syndicate, FFoz Syndicate, Anne Wade and Jean Weston, Kathryn Adams, Erin Barclay, Christine Chapman, David Dawson, We’re The One Percenters Syndicate, Sharon Harris, Steve Kirkham, Mark Lowe, Allan and Brenda Satchell, Len Stone, Stewart Taylor, Alan Jackson, Ken Stocks, Prof Terry Walsh, Babu No 2 Syndicate. Tough sprinter Impregnable gave jockey champion Jeff Lloyd a birthday present with a stunning performance to score at Doomben. Impregnable looked to have blown his chances with a tardy beginning, but he showed terrific acceleration to scoot along the inside and settle just off the pace. Rider Jeff Lloyd had to wait for a gap to open in the straight before driving the tough sprinter to a comfortable win. It was Impregnable’s first city win and took his career figures to 12 starts for four wins and seven minor placings. “Since we moved him from Mick Price’s Caufield stable Toby Edmonds’ Gold Coast stable to take advantage of slightly easier racing in Queensland, Impregnable has started six times for four wins and a third and fourth placing. “Toby has done a super job with the horse and worked him through his grades with three northern NSW wins before heading to city racing with the horse. “His form at Doomben has been fantastic and at Ontrack we strive to find horses who can measure up to Saturday city company and the move from Victoria to Queensland has allowed Impregnable to be a city performer,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds described Impregnable as a typical son of champion stallion I Am Invincible. “He’s just a good tough horse and like the stock of I Am Invincible, he is very genuine and thrives on racing. “Saturday was his sixth run for the stable but to look at him you wouldn’t know it. He just goes home after his races and licks the food bowl clean and is ready to go again. “However, he has been up for a while so he can go out to our farm and have an easy week or two in the paddock. While he’s not showing any physical indication of training off, we want to look after him and so he can have this let up and then we will come back and find a nice target. “He’s not very big but he’s powerfully built and is a very progressive horse and I’m confident he will work his way through to open company,” said Toby Edmonds. Jeff Lloyd, who celebrated his 57th birthday the day before Impregnable’s win was especially pleased as he had all his family on course. However, things looked far from promising when Impregnable came out second to last when the starter let the field go. “He was moving around quite a lot in the barriers and that caused him to miss the start. Fortunately, he has such a great turn of speed that he could make up the lost ground fairly quickly and turning for home all I wanted was half a gap and he simply pushed his way into the clear. “He was very game in the run home and once he got clear he actually won with a fair bit of authority. “It was a fairly dominant win in the end,” said Jeff Lloyd. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 Syndicate, Steve Mauger, Matthew Maguire, Sansom Hue, Brett Grogan, David Worthley, Ken Stocks, Wayne McCubbin, Jenny Edington, Ryan Lawlor, Peter Condon, Lisa Saxton Dan Paton, Ricky Kim, Garry Batchelder, Philomena Syndicate. High class mare Savanna Amour put the icing on the cake for Ontrack Thoroughbreds with a stunning win in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes at Caufield. Ontrack’s all gold silks were carried by Impregnable and Savanna Amour on Saturday and both horses recorded impressive wins. “It was a great day for Ontrack,” said Managing Director Grant Morgan. “We aim to produce Saturday city winners and to line up horses in two states and win both races was fantastic.” Savanna Amour’s win in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes came after the showy mare failed on a heavy track at Sandown. “We suspected she wouldn’t handle a heavy track but she needed to run as part of her campaign so we rolled the dice. The mare simply didn’t cop the ground that day so we regrouped and put her back on her favourite firm footing. “The better ground with a good draw and the addition of blinkers contributed to a stunning success and she now has a fantastic record at Caufield of two wins and a third in three starts on the track. “She has now won a Group Two and two Group Threes and is a very valuable race mare. There are plenty of fillies and mares races for her and we will let the dust settle from Saturday and then plot a way forward for her.” Trainer John Meagher applies blinkers on Savanna Amour in the Cockram Stakes and it was a move he had been thinking of for a while. “She is a genuine mare but she can be a bit flighty and the thought was that the blinkers would settle her a little bit and make her focus a bit more in her races. “It was a good win and she would have been very unlucky had she not got the split when she did because she was travelling beautifully. “After the Sandown failure, jockey Ben Melham said the mare simply can’t handle wet tracks and to forget about that run but you always have a niggling doubt at the back of your mind. “She also had a minor virus after Sandown and that caused her to miss the Regal Roller. It wasn’t a major but we don’t like to take any risks with our horses so we scratched her and made sure she was right and then headed back to the races. “The good thing about Grant and the Ontrack horses is that they are patient and allow us to do what we need to ensure the horses are spot on. They share our focus to ensure the horses welfare always comes first. It wasn’t a serious virus but we wanted to ensure she was 100 per cent recovered,” said John Meagher. A four-year-old by Queensland stallion Love Conquers All, Savanna Amour was bought out of the 2015 Inglis Classic Sale by Grant Morgan for $100,000. “She was a stunning yearling and I fell in love with her on type and was determined to have her. It was a lot for a Love Conquers All at the time but she has always looked like a good horse and the ownership group is having a wonderful run with this girl,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to the winning connections of Savanna Amour: Dennis and Del Bates, Laraine Blades, FRF Racing (David Fitzpatrick), Haimes Racing, Bob and Gladys Harvey, Rob Hill, Paul Kitching, Bill and Glenys Knobel, Phil and Anne Leonard, Danny Lesjak, Paul McGavin, Dave Moretti, Barry Muller, Mark Ostermeyer, Darren Smeath, Dennis and Colleen Walker, Dale Watts and Peter Hanan. |
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