Racing: Thordon Mile next test for Savvy Dreams

Hastings co-trainer Grant Cullen says Savvy Dreams is ready to step up to another level.

Hastings mare Savvy Dreams has handed in a "well done but will go better" report card after the New Year's Day thoroughbred race meeting yesterday.

"She's raced well today so we're obviously happy. She fought out well so we're going to push forward and run her in the Thorndon Mile in three weeks," said co-trainer Grant Cullen yesterday of the 1600m race which is part of the Wellington Carnival at Trentham on January 20.

It was a maiden victory for visiting Australian jockey Katelyn Mallyon, who is in New Zealand with partner and Kiwi rider James McDonald in Cambridge.

Grant said Mallyon couldn't have done much wrong in a modest field of four in the third race, the Best Travel 1200, on a good 3 HB Racing track bathed in glorious sunshine yesterday.

"She [Mallyon] was very impressed with her so we're also happy," said Cullen, who trains horses in tandem with Guy Lowry.

The group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 18 will be her other run provided Thordon Mile's fine.

Mallyon, 23, of Melbourne, was keen to return for the Thorndon Mile but Samantha Collett had the advance booking on Savvy Dreams and the co-trainers will retain the status quo.

Cullen also gave a thumbs up to second-placed Uncle Bro (aprrentice Ulrika Holmquist), who was making his debut in the 1600m Roger Russell/Charlie Keenan Memorial final race of the day.

Reese Jones rode Silhouette Beauty to third place in the 1200m Ivan Gordon Memorial for maiden 3-year-olds. Cullen liked how the filly made up ground.