Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Drawing out wide at barrier No. 8 proved no problem for smart filly Cabsav, who began with a dazzling burst of speed to dash straight to the front in the 1730m $1 Million Nullarbor April 14 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Mike Reed-trained Cabsav went into the race with a losing sequence of 13 and as the second favourite at $4.70, with Fly To Fame, a winner at her two previous starts, the favourite at $2.80.
“We had never really used her gate speed,” said reinsman Shannon Suvaljko. “But with the danger (Fly To Fame) drawn outside of Cabsav, and over a mile, I aimed to lead.”
Suvaljko’s tactics paid handsome dividends, with the filly setting a fast pace and winning by a length from $7 chance Seagrass, rating 1.56.
“The plan over the short journey was to keep in front of Fly To Fame,” said Reed. “I thought Cabsav could beat the others, and our plan worked out perfectly.”
Fly To Fame began speedily but was unable to get past Cabsav. Fly To Fame then raced three wide for the first 600m before working hard in the breeze. She did very well to hold on to finish.
“Cabsav will race at Gloucester Park on Tuesday (from barrier nine in race nine) and then she can have a couple of weeks off before being prepared for the $50,000 APG Sales Classic for three-year-old fillies on February 24,” said Reed.
“She won the Group 1 APG Sales Classic for two-year-olds in February this year, and this resulted in her drawing out wide in most of her subsequent starts.”
Cabsav, owned by Jim Giumelli’s Swandoo Syndicate, has earned $135,860 from three wins, seven seconds and two thirds from 17 starts.