Some of the country’s most promising three-year-olds have taken out the Gr.2 AHD – Animal Health Direct Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) in recent years, and Pam Gerard is hoping Savaglee can join that esteemed group in Saturday’s contest at Hastings.

Last season’s Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) winner, Savaglee, has returned as a furnished three-year-old who blew away his rivals first-up at Taupo before storming into second behind Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival.

That performance was more than pleasing for Gerard, who prepares The Oaks Stud-owned colt out of Matamata.

“I’m really happy with him, he’s certainly going in the right direction and he looks super well,” Gerard said.

“He’s been doing things right in his races and settling, he possibly didn’t get the luck of the draw last time.

“I don’t think he needs to do a lot more than he did there, obviously he was running on really well, so it all comes down to draws and a bit of luck in the running. I think that’s all he needs.”

The race has also been a key form reference for past winners of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), with the likes of Pier, Aegon, Catalyst and Madison County going on to take out the New Zealand Cup Week feature and Gerard holds similar aspirations for Savaglee.  

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk