Trainer stoked with Savannah Cloud

Savannah Cloud secures his maiden victory. Photo Natasha Morello/Racing Phot

Kiwi-bred three-year-old Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) secured his maiden victory last start and trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping he can continue that form line at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Savabeel colt will jump from barrier four in the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and Stokes is happy with his charge heading into the three-year-old feature.

“He is a very nice colt, he couldn’t have been more impressive winning his maiden,” Stokes said. “He relaxed beautifully and has trained on nicely.

“It’s a tough race, but I think he is one of the (main) chances. He is an exciting horse.”

Savannah Cloud placed in his two previous starts as a two-year-old and Stokes said he won’t put a lot of pressure on the colt this spring.

“He is still very immature,” he said. “I don’t think we will go too deep into the spring, I think he will be a lot better in the autumn.”

Savannah Cloud was purchased out of Haunui Farm’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Dalziel Bloodstock and Peter Moody for $140,000.