2017 Toorak Handicap Target for Savile Row

The Toorak Handicap 2017 could be on the cards for the Michael Moroney-trained Savile Row, the Kiwi import set to join his new Victorian stable this week.

Trainer Michael Moroney is looking at the 2017 Toorak Handicap for his galloper Savile Row this spring. Photo: Taron Clarke.

Moroney is keen to welcome the rising Makfi four-year-old into his care on Wednesday, looking to kick the stallion’s campaign off in the $200,000 Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 16.

From there he will step the horse up in grade, hoping to have Savile Row run in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) over the Caulfield mile in mid-October for his maiden elite level test down under.

“He will probably kick off in the Bobbie Lewis and our first thoughts are to give him a preparation through the Toorak Handicap and see where he fits in from there,” Moroney told AAP.

“He should be well in the weights at the handicaps.”

Currently the colt has had eight runs back across the Tasman for two wins and four other minor placings, including his brave second as a $37 roughie behind Ugo Foscolo in last November’s Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m).

His two summer runs earlier in the year also produced back-to-back Group 1 second placings.

The first in mid-January saw him finish runner-up to Hall Of Fame in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m), a race subsequent ATC Derby winner Jon Snow ran third in.

Savile Row then finished second in open-age company, catching the eye when just a neck off 2015 Rosehill Guineas winner and that year’s ATC Derby third placegetter Volstok’n’Barrell in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

In March, Savile Row had his latest run but could only manage to cross eight lengths behind Gingernuts in the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.

The form of that race was franked during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with Gingernuts winning the Rosehill Guineas.

The Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards-trained Gingernuts, last seen running fifth in the ATC Derby, is currently one of $17 equal favourites in futures betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the $3.15 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21.

Moroney may not test Savile Row over the mile and a half during the spring after his unplaced NZ Derby effort, instead looking at other 1600m – 2000m handicap races after the Toorak during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest spring Group 1 racing odds and offers by heading to Ladbrokes.com.au.