Safe Satyr took the length of the straight to nail the Glenroy Chaff Hcp (1000m) at Belmont last Wednesday but take nothing away from the talented 2yo son of Safeguard.
Stewards reported he veered outwards over the concluding stages and nearly threw away prizemoney and bonuses of $38,000. That’s good money for a midweek win in the middle of winter and Laqdar Ramoly was also lucky to stay aboard after a 10 out of 10 ride for trainer Meryl Hayley.
Appearing first-up following some solid barrier trials, Safe Satyr sat three-wide with cover while Willie Pike set the speed on the favourite Live Lucky (Written Tycoon). Ramoly eased him off heels into the straight to engage Areduet (Rommel) and they settled down to a final-furlong duel.
Ramoly changed hands from the right to the left and punched him home before it nearly went pear-shaped right on the line. “He’s shown a lot at home and in his trials,” stable rep Bree Nash said. “But we were a bit sceptical over the 1000m today and then he sat three-deep.”
Nash is pictured with Safe Satyr and a relieved Lucky Ramoly while standing in for Hayley who was in Darwin. “He will keep improving over longer distances and Meryl will make a decision on his next start after seeing how he pulls up.”
Mogumber Park’s Champion 2YO Sire Safeguard (Exceed And Excel) got him Fairy Nymph who was a Murray Bridge winner for Santo Guagliardo. Great Southern breeder Rennie Gardiner has the mare back in foal to his own stallion Choistar (Choisir). The family goes back seven generations to Larna (Dhoti) who foaled Champion WA mare La Trice (Matrice). She doubled-up in the 1970 and 1971 Winterbottom Stakes and was denied a second Railway Stakes in 1970 after the most controversial Group 1 protest ever upheld by stewards in WA.
Fifth-dam Hasten Lass (Jungle Boy) won the 1978 Sunspeed Champion Stakes (1200m) and fourth-dam Hasty Departure (Red Anchor) the 1989 WA Oaks (2400m) when it was a Group 1 classic.
Mogumber Park owner Colin Brown has implemented a cost-effective deal for broodmare owners supporting resident stallions Marine One and Safeguard. Breeders booking into Marine One at $8,800 (inc GST) will receive another service at no extra charge to Safeguard who is advertised at a $4,400 (inc GST) fee. Contact Colin Brown for further information on 0408 251 880