My Savvy Boy Surprises In Wexford Double
01 Feb 2014Wexford Stables got more than expected at today’s Te Aroha meeting.
We were represented by three runners on the day and, though we thought they would all perform well we didn’t expect to land a double.
“We thought they’d all be chances and we were hoping to maybe get a winner,” said Scott. “The biggest surprise was Mi Savvy Boy winning. It was his first start and though he has shown us a lot of promise we thought the trip would be a bit short for him, being by Savabeel.
“We expected him to be running on and maybe get a place so the win was a bit of a bonus.”
Mi Savvy Boy is owned in Hong Kong by Mark Fong and has been successful in one of his three trials, at Ellerslie last April as a two-year-old. He had trialled once since the heat win, when unplaced in a Te Awamutu 850-metre heat last month.
Ridden by Craig Grylls, Mi Savvy Boy settled well off the pace in the Kelso Racing 1250 and unleashed an irresistible finish to score by three-quarters of a length from another first-starter, Rolling In The Deep.
“He did it easily in the end,” said Grylls. “He still had a bit left up his sleeve and he’s going to be better when he gets over a bit more ground.”
Stablemate Prince Bruno won the previous race, the Pike Racing 1400, thanks to a heady ride in front by Rory Hutchings.
The Elusive City three-year-old had been trials-placed on the course last December and had finished fourth on debut at Te Rapa last month.
With blinkers added today, he began well and lobbed along in front then accelerated when asked by Hutchings to score by three-quarters of a length from Tiara Concerto, the favourite, who ran on late to shade third-placed Terse.
“He was lugging a bit at the 600 metres but then kicked when I asked him,” said Hutchings. “I could see out the corner of my eye one (Tiara Concerto) flashing home but by then we had the race won. It was a good win and he should go on with it.”
Prince Bruno is raced by Brett Wilson, along with his brother Dean and their father Bruce. Brett and his father were on hand for the win and we understandably thrilled by Prince Bruno’s performance.
“Bruce was Lance’s teacher at school so they go a long way back,” said Scott.
Hidden Secret failed to complete a 100 per cent strike rate on the day for the stable but battled on solidly for fourth to Sakology in the final event.
Congratulations to the connections of Mi Savvy Boy and Prince Bruno and for the Hidden Secret camp, your winning turn isn’t far away.