He could be excused for needing the race, but absolute top-class horses can do things they are not meant to.
Everything has gone well since that race, according to Pam Gerard, who co-trains Savile Row with Melbourne-based Mike Moroney. "His work has been top class and he looks outstanding. He's got a nice draw and a good rider and I can't get him any better.
"We are just hoping for luck - actually a lot of it to be fair."
So, nervous?
"No, but there are 12 other horses in there and it's a group one race. Anything can happen."
Savile Row came from the tail of the field to win at Ellerslie, but that was at 1200m and he doesn't have to get back. Expect him to be handier tomorrow.
"He's a beautifully-natured colt and a magnificent individual. As good as anything I've worked with."
Savile Row was ridden by Michael Coleman at Ellerslie and has Mark Du Plessis on his back tomorrow.
On the TAB's Final Field market he was
second favourite yesterday at $4.80 - $1.85.
The favourite is Hall Of Fame, $2.90 - $1.40, who came off a beaten run in the 2000 Guineas to win in 3-year-old company at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
This is a step up again, but co-trainer Stephen Autridge says there has been significant improvement in the Savabeel colt since Ellerslie.
"We are very happy with him. He's got a gun draw [No 1] and the gun jockey [Opie Bosson] and what we need now is the gun run."
Lisa Latta brought Lincoln Blue to Ellerslie on December 11 to have his first look around and he certainly did that as he disposed of the opposition quite easily. He has to drop back from the 2100m there to the 1600m, but Latta has had one month to freshen him.
To his advantage he races on the speed and kicks hard in the closing stages.
A value runner is Creative Genius, who looks a stayer in the making, but is doing a good job up to 1600m at this point. He made a strong impression finishing powerfully into third in the Trevor Eagle Memorial at Ellerslie behind Top Prospect and Barcelo.
Trentham's wide open spaces is a track that will suit his racing style.
Excalibur is an interesting runner. He was a repeated placegetter in three starts until he found the right race at Te Rapa last start and he was simply a class above the metric mile maidens. This is a huge step up, but 3-year-olds by Tavistock from a mare by Stravinsky from a Zabeel mare can make gigantic strides at this time of year.
What he does will be interesting.
Punting pointers
• Win soon: Padraig (R2 Trentham). It took runaway Ruakaka winner Florence Jean to beat him at the trials then he ran a blinder to come from last into second on debut at Ellerslie.
• Each-way: Peaky Blinders (R5 Matamata, today) Looked good in just three starts last preparation. The type to go well fresh.
• Forgive: Serious Satire (R7 Ellerslie). Only battled into fifth last time, but probably feeling the effects of a hard resuming run.
