3 minute read
Becomes 20th Group 1 winner for Savabeel
The enviable team of Savabeel (Zabeel), Jamie Richards and David Ellis - the three powerhouses of New Zealand racing - joined up on Saturday to win yet another Group 1 race when Cool Aza Beel (2 c ex Cool 'n' Sassy by Testa Rossa) landed the Sistema Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Ellerslie becoming the stallion's 20th Group 1 winner.
A winner of the Karaka 2YO Million (RL, 1200m), the two-year-old was last seen finishing second behind stablemate Need I Say More (No Nay Never) in the Slipper Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) last month.
Opie Bosson bided his time behind a steady pace before angling three-wide on the point of the home turn to issue a challenge. Asked for his effort, Cool Aza Beel shot two-lengths clear to defeat improving filly Vernazza (More Than Ready) and the late-finishing Kelly Renee (Vespa) in third.
"He's a very special colt," Richards said.
"He might have been half a run short at Matamata but the ground had to be taken into consideration and we couldn't have had him any better for today.
"We put a little rubber nose band on him to just slow him down a little early on today but Opie peeled out at the right time and he quickened really nicely.
"I did think Vernazza was going to give us a good crack there but he is a very good colt."
Richards wouldn't be drawn on the immediate future for Cool Aza Beel although he indicated the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) on March 28 was a possibility.
Purchased by Te Akau boss David Ellis for $150,000 from the Fairdale Stud draft during the Book 1 session at the 2019 Karaka Yearling Sale, the colt is out of three-time winner Cool 'n' Sassy (Testa Rossa), who is herself out of Elle's Decree (Red Ransom), a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Malaguerra (Magnus) and Group 3 winner Tennessee Midnight (Danehill).
Tennessee Midnight herself produced Group 1 winner Aloha (Encosta De Lago) - the dam of Silver Shadow Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) Libertini (I Am Invincible). Meanwhile, Tennessee Midnight also produced Midnight Rock (Rory's Jester) - the dam of My Emotion (Savabeel), who is a half-sister to Midnight Revels (Don Eduardo) - the dam of Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Seabrook (Hinchinbrook).
In 2018 Cool 'n' Sassy produced a brother to Cool Aza Beel who was withdrawn from this year's New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale, while last season she produced a colt by Darley shuttler Iffraaj (Zafonic) and was not covered last season.
Savabeel, who sired his 19th Group 1 winner last weekend when Probabeel landed the Surround Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m).
Savabeel's domination on the track in the southern hemisphere translated in the sales ring in January with 58 yearlings by the sire realising a whopping NZ$14,340,000 during Karaka Book 1, selling at average of NZ$247,241 and he has has eight lots set to sell at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April.
Later in the afternoon, Richards' and Te Akau's day got even better when Avantage (Fastnet Rock) took out the New Zealand Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) - his fourth win at elite level.
