Savvy Nature has been included in the 2014 Australian Derby field and trainer John O’Shea revealed that he is happy with the condition of the talented colt ahead of the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
James McDonald will be chasing his second straight win in the Australian Derby when he partners Savvy Nature at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Savvy Nature started his 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign with a third place finish in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1 and was slightly disappointing in the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 15 before returning to a semblance of his best form with a fourth place finish in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 29.
O’Shea told TVN this morning that he has been happy with the progress Savvy Nature has made since returning to the races and believes that the son of Savabeel is ready for the step-up to 2400 metres in the Australian Derby this weekend.
“He seems to be going ok and I am happy enough with the way that he is,” O’Shea said.
“He has just been ticking along nicely all preparation and comes to grand final day on Saturday.
“I always said that we would get to the Rosehill Guineas and make an assessment of his run there as to where he found himself.
“On the strength of his Rosehill Guineas run, he was good through the line and strong late, it is only appropriate that you go to the Derby.
“He wasn’t effective enough over 2000 metres and especially over in the Guineas, he was left a little bit flat footed, and I think it was a nice Derby trial the other day.
“He has mad nice progression each run; he hadn’t been overtaxed at the start of his preparation and we really put the screws down in the last fortnight and he seems to have responded well.
“He capped it off with a nice piece of work this morning.”
Savvy Nature will be partnered by regular jockey James McDonald in the 2014 Australian Derby field on Saturday and will wear saddlecloth number four; with the Australian Derby barrier draw to be held at Royal Randwick this evening.
Rosehill Guineas winner Criterion ($3.50) is currently a clear favourite in 2014 Australian Derby betting markets from New Zealand Derby winner Puccini ($6) the consistent Thunder Fantasy ($7) and Bruce Hill-trained Teronado ($8.50), while Savvy Nature is available at a quote of $11.
