Red Centre trainer Will Savage might well start the new Australian racing season with wins in both Adelaide and Alice Springs on Saturday.
Savage is back in South Australia with his champion eight-year-old gelding Savatoxl, who will contest the $150,000 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
The son of Kuroshio is a $6 second favourite for the weight-for-age event, formerly known as the Spring Stakes, and is out to make amends after finishing 15th in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in May.
Savatoxl, who won the Group 1 Goodwood in 2021, was a last-start third at weight-for-age level over 1200m at Fannie Bay on July 22 following his hit-and-run mission to the Top End during the Darwin Cup Carnival.
With $1.03 million in the bank following 19 wins from 41 career starts, Savatoxl has a decent record in Adelaide having won the Group 3 DC McKay Stakes (1100m) in 2021 and 2023, as well as the Listed Christmas Handicap (1200m) in 2020.
DC McKay Stakes 2023 replay – Savatoxl
Add the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in 2021, and it is no wonder Savatoxl is widely regarded as the NT’s best-ever horse.
With a rating of 106, Savage is quite selective when it comes to finding the right race for Savatoxl so as to avoid the big weights.
He will carry 58.5kg this weekend, spotting 2kg to $2.80 favourite See You In Heaven from Richard and Chantelle Jolly’s Adelaide stable.
Savatoxl has drawn barrier six, while See You In Heaven – returning from a six-month break – will exit from the outside gate in the 12-horse field.
Savage, who ended the 2022/23 Alice Springs racing season with 14 wins, has no qualms about making the long trips with Savatoxl – it’s 1496km to from Alice Springs to Darwin and 1534km from Alice Springs to Adelaide.
“The horse is fine – he’s sound, he’s a good traveller and does everything right,” Savage said.
“I do it in two days, I usually pull up overnight.
“Normally stay at Tennant Creek on my way to Darwin and Coober Pedy when I go to Adelaide.
“He’s doing well in himself and everything, so I can’t see where there would be a problem.
“While Savatoxl can do that you might as well give it a go before it’s too late.
“This one in Adelaide, it’s a weight-for-age that suits him, so that’s where you’ve got to go.
“I think he’ll run a good race, he’s usually competitive.
“There was only one race in Darwin that suited him, we had a crack there, he was a bit unlucky.”
Savage has no plans to retire Savatoxl at this stage and isn’t sure if he’ll head back to Alice Springs following the race this weekend.
“We’ll see how he goes, just play it by ear and see how he runs,” he said.
“There is another race, but it’s a bit further in a couple of weeks’ time.
“Just take one race at a time with him at the moment.
“If he’s not happy and if something goes wrong, then we’ll go home.
“If he keeps going the way he’s going, then we might hang around.”
While Savage attempts to win his fifth race in Adelaide with Savatoxl, wife Cindy will be marshalling the troops back home in Alice Springs.
The Savages have seven runners on the five-race card at Pioneer Park on Saturday, with The Last Charge, Threetimeslucky, Redenzo Lad and Talent Quest contesting the final two heats of the Red Centre Winter Series over 1200m.
The 12 top qualifiers will contest the $40,000 final over 1200m on August 25.
Broad Outlook is aiming for his fourth-straight win over 1600m, stablemate Fantasy Eagle will also be a starter, and Sienna’s Choice will be seeking her first win at the 12th attempt for the stable.
Naturally, Savage will be keeping an eye on the events back in Central Australia.
“My wife Cindy does a lot of work and is looking after the show,” he said.
“Broad Outlook, who has won his last three, has really hit the ground running on the dirt – he loves it.
“He’s up against some good horses on Saturday – it’s a good field, but I think he will be hard to beat.
“I’m also eyeing the Winter Series Final, I’ve got four chances there on Saturday and Speed Wheel is also a chance of qualifying.
“They’re not brilliant horses, but that’s the idea of the Winter Series for the mid-range sprinters.”
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