SAVEAPATROL SCHEDULED TO RESUME IN JANUARY
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is counting down the months for the racetrack return of stable pacing star Savepatrol next year.
Saveapatrol, last seasons’s luckless Auckland Cup placegetter, underwent a minor surgery for a leg issue after spelling in March.
Saveapatrol, stretches out for driver Blair Orange on New Zealand Cup day last year. He is scheduled to resume racing in January.
“I’m rapt with Saveapatrol’s recovery. His leg looks great after we took a precautionary measure to operate,” Mark said.
“He’s had sixs weeks swimming already and walks one hour in surf every day. He’s set to resume jogging next month and he looks
great.”
Mark says he’ll be in no hurry with the lightly-raced Christian Cullen gelding.
“I guess we’ll take our time and have good options after New Year, like the Northern Southland and Invercargill Cups.”
Mark says the $A400,000 Hunter Cup at Melton in early February could also be an option if Saveapatrol makes a sharp return to his outstanding form of last season.
Saveapatrol won six of 10 four-year-old starts.
He was spelled after his Group One Auckland Cup third behind Terror To Love and Adore Me at Auckland on March 7.
Saveapatrol was a brilliant winner of a C3 pace at Addington on New Zealand Cup day in a fast 3:09 (mobile 2600m), just half a second outside the NZ record.
He starred on the provincial cups circuit, taking out the Geraldine, Marlborough and Invercargill Cups, the latter a precious Group Three scalp over triple New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love, in a strong 4:03 (3200m).
Saveapatrol, who also racetimed in 1:53.4 (1609m) when fourth from an impossible draw at Addington in February, has only had 16 career starts, for 10 wins, a second and a third, earning $134,868 for owner Grant Hatton.