Milford (NZ) Captures Easter Cup

Formerly a stakes-winning three-year-old and runner-up in last year’s Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m), high-class galloper Milford (NZ) (Savabeel) capped a welcome return to form with a smart win in Saturday’s A$200,000 Group Three Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield. 

The well-related son of Savabeel was a $360,000 purchase by Bruce Perry Bloodstock from Book 1 of Karaka 2019. His 15-start career has so far netted two wins, four placings and A$351,931 in prizemoney.

After showing such star quality in his three-year-old season, Milford went through a slump with six consecutive unplaced appearances.

He hinted at a turnaround with a third placing in the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on April 2, and on Saturday he confirmed it with his determined performance at Caulfield.

Ridden by Patrick Moloney for trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney, Milford sat just off the pace before wearing down the front-running Holbien (Pierro) and edging him out in a tight photo finish.

“Stepping up to 2000 metres from the mile today, he ate it up,” Moloney said. “He had a bit of a think about it in the straight and stargazed a bit, but it’s good to get the job done on a horse I rode last time and have followed him through. It’s good to get the job done for Mike.”

Moroney’s stable representative Glen Thompson has been delighted to see Milford turn his fortunes around.

“He’s come back better as a gelding,” Thompson said. “He showed a fair bit early on, but lost his way a bit as a colt.

“He came back last time as a gelding but struggled a little after the gelding operation. Mike put him in a paddock, and he’s come back great this prep.

“He’s done really well all prep and held his condition well. His two runs leading into this were outstanding, and he really flew under the radar.

“It just looked like he was crying out for the 2000 metres and he showed that today.”

Bred by Waikato Stud, Milford is by champion sire Savabeel out of Etiquette (NZ) (O’Reilly), who is an unraced full-sister to the multiple Group One winner and highly successful sire Sacred Falls (NZ).

Vendor	Waikato Stud
Purchaser	Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (Masterton)
Breeding	Savabeel – Etiquette
Sale	Lot 14, Karaka 2019 Book 1, $360,000
Bred by	Waikato Stud