Gelagotis Has Savquaw Flying
- Saturday, 12 June 2010 03:21
The Peter Gelagotis trained Savquaw is in career best form fighting his way to victory in the $75,000 LV Lachal Handicap (1700m) at Flemington today.
Savquaw ($2.70,$2.90,$2.70) dictated terms in front for apprentice Nathan Rose who rated the gelding astutely, quickening at the right times to avoid pressure from the on pace opposition.
When Trustus ($6,$8) ranged up to Savquaw upon straightening and the two settled down the fight the affair out with the latter clearly taking the honours on the line, winning by the best part of a length with Sea Skye ($7,$8.50) a close third three quarters of a length away.
Despite being challenged strongly in the straight Savquaw always looked liked prevailing something Gelagotis attributes to his 'fighting' attitude.
"He loves the going and is a bulldog of a horse, he is a real street kid and enjoys a fight," said Gelagotis.
"I have always had a lot of faith in this horse and there is no denying that he is the best horse in the stable and my favourite horse."
Gelagotis was thrilled to get the win at headquarters and praised the ride of Rose who he believes has been a big factor in the five-year-olds recent form.
"He has won three midweek races in town this horse and now he has finally cracked it for a Saturday win," he said.
"The horse just clicks with Nathan and he has won the two times he has ridden him now."
A winner of the Moe Cup in 2009, Gelagotis confirmed the race would once again be a goal for Savquaw.
"Long term the Moe cup is our goal with horse, that's the biggest day for our stable and I want to produce this horse at his best again" he said.
Rose, who continues to make a name for himself in Victoria, believed that a light weight and race fitness were two big factors in the gelding notching up his first Saturday city win.
"He hasn't been this far down in the weights for a long time and he was trained to the minute today," said Rose.
The win was the eighth of Savquaw's career and took his prizemoney to almost $300,000.
Photo by Fiona Tomlin.
