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Albarado takes out Caulfield Classic 

Waikato Stud-based sire Savabeel (Zabeel) chalked up his 103rd stakes winner on Saturday as his son Albarado (3 c ex O'Fille by O'Reilly) emerged as a serious contender for the VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) when he took out the Caulfield Classic (Gr 3, 2000m). 

After over racing early and being caught wide, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained three-year-old colt showed guts and guile to stave off his rivals, eventually beating Let's Karaka Deel (Dundeel) by a head, while Hit The Shot (Dundeel) was another nose away in third. 

Busuttin, who is originally from New Zealand, said Albarado was raced by almost the same group of owners and he also carried the same colours as 2011 VRC Derby winner Sangster, who was also by the Waikato Stud-based sire. 

"Sangster was our first good horse when we came here so hopefully this bloke can replicate what he did in a couple of weeks," Busuttin said.

Purchased by his trainers for NZ$140,000 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Karaka Yearling Sale from the Rich Hill Stud draft, the colt is out of dual Group 3-winning O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare O'Fille signalling another good example of the potency of Savabeel when mated with daughters of O’Reilly, with the nick producing 17 stakes scorers, headed by four Group 1 winners; Costume, Diademe, Savaria and Embellish. 

O’Fille’s two-year-old colt by Shocking (Street Cry) was purchased by Hawkes Racing for NZ$200,000 at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Karaka Yearling Sale from the Rich Hill Stud draft. 

Savabeel is standing at Waikato Stud for a fee of NZ$100,000 (plus GST).