Any doubts about Khor’s stamina were put to bed by the Kiwi-bred gelding’s never-say-die performance in the A$130,000 The Big Screen Company Handicap (2400m) at Sandown on Saturday.
All of the Savabeel gelding’s previous victories had come over distances ranging from 1600m to 2100m, and he had been unplaced in four previous attempts over 2200m or further. However, the best of those attempts was his most recent, a creditable last-start fourth in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 7.
Jockey Linda Meech decided to push forward from the inside gate on Saturday and send Khor forward to take up the lead, and that was where he stayed.
Khor kicked hard off the home turn and opened up a two to three-length lead, but then the challengers began to gain ground. Autumn Slide drew up alongside him, later joined by a late-charging Kurakka, but Khor dug deep and clung on to beat them both by half a length.
Ben Casanelia, the racing manager for trainer Symon Wilde, was pleasantly surprised by Khor’s performance.
“There was some query around whether he’d run the trip, but he put paid to that today,” he said.
“We probably couldn’t have scripted it any better with the sectionals we were able to get in front, and then Linda pushed the button at the right time. He’s not a horse that’s going to sprint up, but he’s so tough. We’ve seen that right through this preparation – he keeps finding.
“I think the environment we have at home in Warrnambool really suits him. He does a bit of jumping and is quite adept at that, and he goes to the beach. He’s super fit, and I think the varied routine that we’re able to give him keeps him on his toes mentally as much as anything.
“He’s just gone from strength to strength. He ran a big race in the Warrnambool Cup. He loomed to win but had probably done just a bit too much in the run, but it was a fantastic performance.
“The race really panned out well for him today, Linda was decisive early and it paid off. All of the owners will be thrilled to have a Saturday win.”
Khor was bred by White Robe Lodge principals Brian and the late Lorraine Anderton and is by champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel out of the Gallant Guru mare Coulee.
In her own racetrack career, Coulee had 38 starts for 10 wins and 11 placings including Group Three victories in the White Robe Lodge Handicap (1600m) and two editions of the South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
Khor is the first foal out of Coulee, whose other two foals to race have both been winners – the four-year-old Per Incanto mare Moor and three-year-old Ancient Spirit filly Arwen.
Coulee is also the dam of unraced two-year-old Ancient Spirit filly Chillilava, and she produced a colt by Almanzor last spring before being served by White Robe Lodge’s new stallion Alflaila.
Still part-owned by Brian Anderton along with a syndicate headed by Rod Lyons, the six-year-old Khor has now had 31 starts for six wins, nine placings and A$303,780 in stakes. – NZ Racing Desk.
