Saveeon delivers in Breeders Challenge Blue Final

IT was a satisfying moment for 34-year-old Ashlee Grives when she brought up her first Group 1 victory as a trainer-driver at Tabcorp Park Menangle when Saveeon took out Saturday night’s New South Breeders Challenge Blue final for two-year-old fillies.

Bred and raced by Ashlee’s mother-in-law Tracey, the daughter of Warrawee Needy was sent out as a long odds-on favourite following some impressive performances throughout the Breeders Challenge series.

And she never let her supporters down, justifying the short quote by winning comfortably after being given a perfect run throughout by Grives.

For Ash, it was a great relief to finally win a Group 1 race after years of being thereabouts in similar feature races.

“It was great,” said Grives.

“This filly has had a hard campaign and I was just hoping she had just one more Grand Final run in her on Saturday.

“We raced her mum Zibibbo, who gave us a few thrills on the track when she was at her best.

“Unfortunately, due to a few niggling injury problems throughout her career that mare never reached her full potential.

“But it is great to see that she is now doing a good job in the breeding barn.”

Grives’ victory was the second leg of a Western Districts Group 1 double, following the win by Better Be The Best for fellow Bathurst trainer- driver Nathan Turnbull, who took out the two-year-old colts and geldings’ division final.

Emotions ran high after Better Be The Best trounced his rivals, capping off what has been a great season for Turnbull and his family.

“It was a dream come true,” said Nathan.

“I have been in the game my entire life and all I have wanted to do is drive a Group 1 winner.

“This bloke is very special to my family and to his owner Chris.

“What he did on Saturday night was just super and now we are excited about his future.”

The Western District Harness Racing community’s hearts are currently with the residents of Eugowra and Forbes with both towns being devastated by severe flooding after heavy rain fell over the area on Sunday.

Tonight’s Bathurst meeting is primarily made up of locally-trained horses with many of the district’s trainers finding it challenging to travel on flooded and damaged roads.