The Savoy too stylish at Cambridge

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jordyn Bublitz 

Just like the plush London hotel he’s named after, The Savoy announced himself in style at Cambridge Raceway last night.

The two-year-old gelding (Art Major – Sloane Square) scored a decisive maiden victory in the Pizza And Beer Night Skyline Lounge – 9th Oct Mobile Pace, confirming the promise trainer Tate Hopkins has always seen in him.

Originally prepared for the yearling sales by Hopkins on behalf of Bruce Carter Bloodstock, the son of Art Major didn’t attract a single bid when he went through the ring. That setback, however, turned into an opportunity.

“We never got a bid on him, so Bruce asked if I’d be interested in taking half of him to train and it just went from there,” Hopkins explained.

It was a decision that looks to be paying off. Hopkins has always felt the youngster had something about him, even when his debut performance didn’t make headlines. On September 5, The Savoy lined up in a Sires’ Stakes heat at Alexandra Park and finished seventh against some of the country’s top juveniles. That race was won by The Savoy’s stablemate Cyclone Rebel. 

“He gives you the feel of a nice horse. It was a really good run from him first up, he was probably thrown in the deep end a bit. He’s just not quite ready to compete with those good ones,” Hopkins said.

The drop back in class at Cambridge proved much more suitable. With Andre Poutama in the sulky, the pair initially settled back off the mobile before pressing forward to take control as the field rounded into the final lap. From there they never looked in danger, kicking clear to score by a comfortable margin.

Heading into the race, Hopkins had every reason to believe the gelding was ready to shine.

“You’re never over confident, but I was pretty sure that he was going to put in a good effort. It’s good to get his confidence up with a win.”

The next steps for The Savoy are still being weighed up, though Hopkins is leaning towards giving the gelding some time off.

“Our plans with him are up in the air at the moment. We might give him a wee break and bring him back as an early three-year-old, I believe time will be his best friend and he’s probably six months away from maturing into a really nice animal.”

With 13 horses in work at his Taupaki base, Hopkins is upbeat about the talent coming through his juvenile team.

“I quite like Booty Shaker, she’s probably just a step below the real good two-year-old fillies. I’ve also got a real monster of a two-year-old called Horizon who goes really good as well, I’d like to think he’ll be winning a couple and he’d only be a month away.”

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