STABLEMATES TAKE OUT ADDINGTON ABC HEATS
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones says Sabellian may be attractive to Australian buyers after qualifying for the Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO fillies semi-finals at Melton in August.
He has no plans to take Sabellian, or other Friday’s promoted 3YO ABC colts and geldings winner Zakspatrol, to Victoria himself.
Sabellian, who sprinted her last 400m in 27.2s in the slushy conditions to win the Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO Fillies Heat at Addington on July 18.
However, he made the most of a good opportunity to pick up the $3500 individual winning stakes for his owners with the paid-up Breeders Crown runners.
Previously with the Allstars barn, Sabellian won the $16,000 Alabar Sires Stakes Fillies Championship Silver at Auckland on December 31, then was put aside after one unplaced run in January.
After winning three from 11, the Art Major filly was transferred to Mark’s Burnham stable for her winter resumption and took some improvement out of her first-up run behind Someardenwomewhere and Explosive Art in C2-4 pace at Timaru on July 6.
“She’s on the market and has no problems whatsoever. She’s very speedy and well-bred,” Mark said of the filly, currently co-raced by Kahukuri and Studholme Bloodstock.
Sabellian is from a lightly-raced daughter of Christian Cullen and four-win former NZ Leonard Memorial winner Assisi (Vance Hanover-Romano).
She was untroubled to lead and sprint clear by three lengths for catch driver Ricky May over only other rival Moonlite Dance in Friday’s $5000 ABC Heat.
Sabellian rated a leisurely 2:05.7 for the mobile 1950m in the bitter and wet conditions, picking up the pace over her last 800m in 57.8s and final 400m in 27.2s.
She has a chance for further spoils this weekend against stablemate Goodness Gracious Me and others in the C2-4 Tom Gundry Freight Fillies & Mares Winter Cup (1609m) at Ashburton on Sunday.
Zakspatrol, a promoted winner of the Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO colts & geldings Heat at Addington on July 18.
Mark made it a fortuitous clean sweep in both ABC heats after Zakspatrol was a promoted winner over neck victor Artismee, who tangled late, in the 3YO colts and geldings heat.
Zakspatrol, also reined by Ricky, set a more genuine clip in the conditions in the boys heat, but the Robert Dunn Artismee did slightly better coming off a trail before mixing his gait late.
They rated 1:59.2 in the colts and geldings heat, the leaders running their last 800m in 58.6s and final 400m in 28.7s.
Zakspatrol had won his previous Addington start on Friday, July 11, in the hands of Blair Orange.
The 3YO Art Major gelding, co-raced by Grant and Katherine Hatton, made the most of a good trip three back on the outer in the C1-2 Chesters Plumbing & Bathrooms Handicap Pace at his previous tote start.
They fought to hold Special Bella by half a head in 3:23.1 for the stand start 2600m, the last 800m in 59.4s.
Zakspatrol has now raced 16 times for three wins and four placings, earning $16,189.