Chris Meagher has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in racing happily nestled in the background behind his father John, a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer.
On Saturday he stepped out from his father’s shadow when Savanna Amour won the Group Three Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes at Caulfield.
Savanna Amour was just the second runner Meagher junior has saddled in his own name.
Meagher was part of the team in Singapore when John trained in the Asian hub from 1999 to 2012 before joining a partnership with his father and younger brother Dan in Brisbane when they returned.
The two younger Meaghers headed to Singapore late last year where Dan now holds a licence at Kranji before Chris returned to Melbourne in August to set up stables at Mornington.
Meagher now has the majority of the stable in his name as his father moves closer to retirement.
“I thought it was about time he and mum sat back and enjoyed life a bit more,” Meagher said.
“Obviously that meant me taking up the reins which I’m more than happy to.”
Meagher had his first runner earlier at Caulfield with Meet And Greet finishing sixth in the Lojac Civil Handicap.
A last-start winner at Caulfield, Savanna Amour ($15) led throughout in scoring by a head from Legless Veuve ($16) with the $2.90 favourite Ravi charging home late for third, a short-head away.
Savanna Amour had to overcome a wide draw on Saturday and Meagher said it was a great ride by Brad Rawiller.
“We said from that gate you have to bounce her and go forward and hopefully slot in,” Meagher said.
“If you lead, you lead. She’ll definitely give you a good kick when you ask but whether she’s good enough, we’ll find out.
“Thankfully she was.”
Meagher said Savanna Amour would progress to 1400m for her next start with the Group One Myer Stakes at Flemington on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival her ultimate aim.
