Savvy Nature has thrown out the challenge to Spring Champion Stakes winner Complacent ahead of the Victoria Derby with a classy victory in Saturday’s Group Two Vase at Moonee Valley.
The John O’Shea-trained Savvy Nature started $1.80 favourite in the 2040m traditional Derby lead-up and rounded the field from last before going on to win by three lengths.
Savvy Nature winning the Moonee Valley Vase at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
He moved to joint favourite alongside Complacent for next Saturday’s Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) with some betting operators.
Savvy Nature has been beaten by the Peter Snowden-trained Complacent in his past two starts in Sydney in the Gloaming Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes.
Snowden decided to bypass The Vase with Complacent and wait for the Derby.
O’Shea said Savvy Nature did everything he had hoped to see on Saturday.
“He’s got the job done. He’s had a nice gallop. This race traditionally has been a great guide to the Derby and hopefully it is this year as well,” O’Shea said.
Savvy Nature, with the addition of blinkers and a tongue-tie, made a long run around the field to be in striking distance on the home turn and then proved a class above his rivals to defeat $201 chance All Rigged Up with another 1-1/4 lengths to Pinstripe Lane ($17) third.
“He attacked the line well, made a long searching run and he relaxed well as well,” O’Shea said.
“He did all the right things you want to see for next week.”
O’Shea, however, says the gelding still needs to improve again to beat Complacent.
“We’ve been competitive with him (Complacent) but we definitely need to find a length and a half,” O’Shea said.
