With the past two winners of the Balaklava feature contesting this year’s Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m), it was interesting to see the pair run the quinella on Wednesday with last year’s winner Sav On Ice showing a return to form to defeat 2024 winner Air Assault.
Going into last year’s race off the back of some solid form, it was no surprise to see him start one of the favourites 12 months back, but in stark contrast, the Garret Lynch trained son of Puissance de Lune has not won a race since, and rightfully was sent out at double figure odds in the large field of 16 runners.
Interestingly having had two change of trainers in the few starts since last year’s effort, the Kayla Crowther ridden gelding went forward to sit in second position with Snow Patrol (NZ) eventually crossing the field from barrier 12 to take up the running.
As the large field thundered into the home straight, the grey gelding Sav On ice pulled himself to the lead, and with Air Assault trapped behind him for the time being and race favourite Cicala also having trouble securing a run, the race looked quite open.
Fighting all the way down the straight, Sav On ice produced an outstanding return to form to secure victory in the $130,000 contest, winning by a little under a length and a quarter form the Andrew Gulyas trained Air Assault with Bamyan Buddha getting up for third.
Taking his overall record to six wins and a second from 17 starts with earnings of $263,320, Sav On Ice was consigned through the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale draft of Brooklyn Park Stud where he was knocked down to his original trainer Darryl Carrison for $90,000.
Bred by Mr R Dunnett, Sav On Ice is one of five winners from five named foals out of the unraced Mastercraftsman mare Shemakhan (NZ), herself a half-sister to Listed winner Top Act (O’Reilly).
Shemakhan unfortunately passed away after just two further foals, with her final foal an unraced 3yo colt by Invincible Spirit’s G1-winning son Royal Meeting (IRE).
Sav On Ice is one of 11 stakes performers for Shamardal stallion Puissance de Lune, winner of the G2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes and the G2 Blamey Stakes, who also finished second and third in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes on multiple occasions.
Puissance de Lune was retired from stud duties at the commencement of 2026.
