An Oaks win by Dowager Queen would further cement Savabeel as a sire of Classic winners and, trainer Graeme Rogerson hopes, translate into a colonial attack on future Melbourne Cups.
Like many, Rogerson was impressed with the win of French horse Dunaden in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, but would like to see a return to the traditional New Zealand staying breed which has served Bart Cummings well over the years.
Rogerson trained Savabeel to win the Cox Plate as a three-year-old in 2004 and the colt went on to run second to Plastered in that year’s Victoria Derby.
The trainer said he had “one or two shares” in Savabeel who stands at New Zealand’s Waikato Stud and has so far produced Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady and last Saturday’s Victoria Derby winner Sangster.
The Rogerson-trained Scarlett Lady, one of the early favourites for the Melbourne Cup, underwent minor leg surgery after the Underwood Stakes, forcing an end to her spring.
Scarlett Lady is raced by Australian Turf Club director Max Whitby, who was also in the partnership which raced Savabeel while he and Rogerson share the ownership of Dowager Queen.
“The Group Ones mean a lot to Savabeel as a stallion,” Rogerson said.
“He’s got the pedigree to produce stayers and we need staying sires to compete with the Europeans.
“We also need more qualifying races for our horses, especially in New Zealand.
“It’s wonderful to have the internationals in the race but I think they need to look at all the qualifying races.”
Waikato Stud proprietor Garry Chittick owns 50 per cent of Savabeel with Rogerson’s modest interest in the horse extending to being on the management committee.
“We’re having a meeting to discuss what his fee will be next season,” he said.
“I’m tipping it will be in the six figures for sure.
“He will also be serving some mares to northern hemisphere time and maybe go overseas himself.”
If Dowager Queen wins the Oaks for which she is favourite, she will be qualified for next year’s Melbourne Cup.
Scarlett Lady will also be aimed at the race with Rogerson nominating her as “the best horse he has ever trained”.
“She will be back in the autumn and hopefully this time we get her to the Cup,” he said.
“Dowager Queen could be there too as long as she gets the 2500 metres as I think she will.”
AAP TURF
