Brisbane feature Mabeel’s long-term target

A Group One test awaits the dashing Mabeel before his connections set their sights on an offshore challenge.

The gifted Savabeel five-year-old showed he was in the right order for more ambitious assignments when he ran his rivals ragged in the Listed Fairdale/Goodwood Studs Flying Handicap at Awapuni on Saturday.

“That was very special and we thought he would handle a loose track,” said Natalie Young, who trains the gelding with her partner Trent Busuttin.

With Sam Spratt in the saddle, Mabeel was allowed to stride to the front and he was well clear at the top of the straight.

“He pretty much jumped out and left them to it,” Young said. “Sam just had to hang on and he did it easily.

“The Easter Handicap has always been his target and the plan we have is to go to Queensland for the Stradbroke Handicap.

“We’ve always thought he was the right type of horse for that race – he can run amazing sectionals.”

Successful six times from 12 appearances, Mabeel won easing down from Seize The Moment with the topweight Scapolo back in third.

“That was great and so was our two-year-old Sicario and he’s going to be so much better next season,” Young said.

Sicario handled a steep rise in class admirably to finish runner-up in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes’ off the back of his debut second in a midweek maiden juvenile at Matamata earlier this month.