Gippsland News: Moe Trainers' Metro Double

Monday, 14 June 2010 14:00

It was a huge weekend for Moe trainers with an interstate Saturday double – Peter Gelagotis winning in Melbourne with Savquaw and Allison Bennett in Adelaide with Alpharari.

Gippsland trainers have not had a Saturday class metro double for over a decade. The last metro double was when Afterburn (Julie Scott) and We Wonder (Ian Hutchins) won on June 4, 2008, but it was a mid week meeting.

Bennett decided to head to Adelaide for the first time in many years due to a lack of suitable options in Victoria.

“I had taken horses there before, but not for many years. This mare is no good on wet surfaces and Caulfield doesn’t suit her, so that leaves the options limited.

“It was a really good effort. She was last until well into the straight, but wound up really well and finished all over them.

“There’s the option of going back in a fortnight, which I will have a look at. It’s not a mares’ race this time, but given the way she won it is a real option.

“She was so relaxed over here in Adelaide it was surprising. Sometimes a trip away like this can really bring a horse on, so fingers crossed,” she said.

ONE MORE FOR SAVQUAW

Savquaw is likely to have one more run this preparation before a let up and being aimed at back to back Moe Cup wins.

The consistent five year-old won his first Saturday class metro race on the weekend after three previous mid week successes and the Moe Cup.

At this late stage of the season he appears the only serious challenger to Floramour as Gippsland horse of the year.

“I’ve never had a horse good enough to win it, so to have two in the running is exciting,” said trainer Peter Gelagotis.

“We still have the Moe Cup (October) in mind for Savquaw and will need to give him a let up before then, but the likelihood is he will have one more run at Flemington in a fortnight over 2000m. A final decision will be made this week.”

Savquaw rolled to the front and held off all challenges, his liking for the soft conditions apparent as he was very strong on the line.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin