Conveniently slipping between two different training environments has brought out the best in Savaheat (NZ) (Savabeel) who will chase the third win of his campaign at The Valley.
The Mick Price and Mick Kent jr-trained gelding runs in the Kingsville Manor Lakes Handicap (2040m) on Saturday coming off a last-start fourth in a stakes race at Sandown.
Kent said Savaheat had been shuttling between Caulfield and their Warrnambool base during his preparation which has netted a first-up win at Moe before success at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
His most recent performance was a closing fourth behind Pacodali in the Group Three Eclipse Stakes (1800m) on November 16.
Kent said using the Warrnambool stable helped keep a horse like Savaheat mentally fresh.
“He loves the beach,” Kent said.
“He started his campaign with us and was with us before his last start but went down there after his last run.”
Price and Kent entrust local trainer Matthew Williams, whose own team includes Harbour Views and Gailo Chop, with their Warrnambool-based horses.
Savaheat started his career with now-disqualified trainer Darren Weir before being transferred to Price in February.
Price took on Kent in a training partnership the following month with Savaheat going on to win three races from eight starts for his new trainers.
Kent said the rise to the 2040m coupled with a drop in grade from Group Three company to a benchmark 90 race on Saturday should mean Savaheat is competitive.
“He won a benchmark 90 during the carnival and they’re always competitive races so I would have thought he would be well suited in this race as he’s down in grade and he’s fourth-up,” Kent said.
“His three runs this time in have been as good as he’s gone for us and he looks fantastic.
“The reports from down at Warrnambool are that he is super and his form reads very well.
“The leader last time got too far out in front and he couldn’t make up the ground but he really attacked the line strongly I thought, so the step up in distance should be ideal.”
