KEY POINTS:
The top-priced lot from last year's premier New Zealand thoroughbred yearling sale yesterday broke through for his first win.
Saperavi, a $2.2 million purchase from the National Yearling Sales at Karaka, posted the win in a $7000 maiden at Ashburton. The winning stake was $4375.
The Stravinsky three-year-old colt out of Grand Echezeaux was having his second start after being unplaced on a wet track at his debut in May.
Saperavi yesterday started a $2.50 favourite and was ridden by Michael Walker. He got back in the early stages of the 1200m event, improved wide on the home turn and came clear to score by two lengths.
The horse is trained by Waikato horseman Mark Walker who has based Saperavi at his South Island stable in Rangiora for the past five weeks.
The long-term goal is the group-one $325,000 Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) for three-year-olds at Riccarton in November.
Mark Walker adopted a similar path with King's Chapel who was based in the South Island before going on to win the 2003 Two Thousand Guineas.
Saperavi's next race would again be at Ashburton. The race is the $55,000 Coupland Stakes (1400m) for three-year-olds on September 28.
Saperavi is a half-brother to Walker's former top performer, Darci Brahma, who starts a breeding career this spring. Darci Brahma was himself a $1.1 million sales purchase and among his 10 wins was the 2005 Two Thousand Guineas.
Walker said there was not much similarity between Darci Brahma and Saperavi. The latter would be better suited to middle-distance races.
Saperavi is raced by a syndicate managed by David Ellis who bought the horse at Karaka.
Meanwhile, Walker reported his good mare Polish Princess had joined the Sydney stable of former New Zealand trainer Chris Waller.
Polish Princess will have a few starts for Waller before being mated with New South Wales-based stallion Encosta De Lago in the spring.
Polish Princess is down to run in an A$80,000 ($89,000) race for fillies and mares at Randwick today.
- NZPA
