New Zealand galloper Savaglee will chase Group 1 Australian Guineas honours at his first start at Flemington.
It has been an emotional time for Pam Gerard since her arrival at Flemington ahead of the Australian Guineas with Savaglee.
Up until the start of the current racing season, Gerard had been in a training partnership with Michael Moroney, which commenced in 2016, before taking over the New Zealand side of Ballymore Stables, leaving Moroney to concentrate on the Australian side.
Gerard flew into Melbourne on Wednesday night to learn the following morning that her old training partner had died in his sleep on Thursday morning.
“It hasn’t been the easiest 24 hours, but we’ll be doing our best to make him super proud,” Gerard said.
“It had been a bit of a thing before the race that he had Plymouth in there and we had Savaglee and we were hoping to beat him home.
“We were super proud of what he achieved in his life, and we’ll try and carry that on for him.”
Gerard said Savaglee had been a bit quieter than normal on Thursday morning after arriving at Flemington ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).
But she said he had perked significantly on Friday and was back to old self.
Gerard picked out the Australian Guineas for Savaglee after he won the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.
“There was a lot of talk about The Kiwi (next Saturday at Ellerslie) over in New Zealand and it wasn’t an easy choice to make,” Gerard said.
“But we are trying to make him into a stallion, and this was a no-brainer for us to have a go at.
“He’s got a good record, but I don’t know if the opposition at home has been hugely strong, but he’s won quite convincingly.
“His last start at Te Rapa, against the Aussie horse (Here To Shock), was quite good. He probably would not have beaten the winner, but he was certainly up to the rest of them.”
Gerard said she was looking forward to seeing Savaglee over the 1600m at Flemington, a track and trip she sees as a test.
“I know it is a little bit of a hard mile, but I think he’s been crying out for that mile for a wee while and maybe even a little bit further, so I think that’s going to suit him perfectly,” Gerard said.
“It’s really exciting to be here. It’s new territory for me.
“Usually, they would come over to Mike’s stable.
“But that’s what it’s all about, it’s getting those good ones and getting them over here and hopefully we can be competitive.”
