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Two for Almanzor

3 minute read

Trav provides Cambridge Stud shuttler with another winner

Almanzor. Picture: Press Photo

Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) was represented by his second southern hemisphere-bred winner when Trav (2 g ex Royal Sav by Savabeel) broke his maiden at Awapuni on Friday. 

On debut and under Sarah Macnab, Trav settled back on the fence and was angled off the rail before the home turn before proving too good for Havarti (Swiss Ace) and race favourite Wisdom Wonder (Charm Spirit), to win going away in the manner of a horse that will get over further.

"He's obviously showed us a fair bit at home and I thought he would run well, but he won't be for sale," trainer Raymond Connors said.

"I'll wait and see how he does, he's a good eater and I think he will keep improving."

Raced and bred by the Connors family, Trav is out of the winning Savabeel (Zabeel) mare Royal Sav, who is a half-sister to the two-time Group 3 Stewards' Handicap (1200m) winner Prince Oz (O'Reilly).

Connors also has a brother to Trav. "He's a nice type and a bit finer and probably not as big as Trav when he was a yearling," Connors said.

Almanzor's first New Zealand-bred winner was the Te Akau Racing-owned Karaka Millions (1200m) winner Dynastic. 

Almanzor will have 38 lots go through the ring at next week's Karaka 2022 - Book 1 sale.