By Anthony Manton
The Black Book will identify race performances around Australia particularly worth following in the future. These may be high profile runners at trials and smaller tracks, or eye-catching performances, we'll aim to give you a horse to add to your pedigree or performance black book for the future.
Wyong trainer Kim Waugh takes the covers off Safado (Lonhro) who makes a long-awaited return to the track at Gosford tomorrow in race three the Class 2 1100 metres on a Provincial Championship campaign.
Safado started his career with a dominant win in a maiden at Hawkesbury in March of last year and backed that up with a narrow second at Gosford in a Class 1 behind the well performed Resin (Exceed And Excel). Resin has since franked that form and has won five races including the G3 The Nivison 1200 metres at Randwick in October.
After a lengthy nine month spell this preparation Safado has been tuned-up for his return with two very easy barrier trials at Gosford and Newcastle and looks set for a winning return from barrier (5) with Jason Collett to ride and Waugh couldn't be happier with him.
"He had a small chip in his knee that we had to remove which is why he had such a long spell but since he's come back I couldn't be happier with him."
"Since he's come back I couldn't be happier with him." - Kim Waugh
"He's strengthened-up and matured with the break, he's a lovely athletic horse, easy to do anything with and just a very promising horse we're excited about" said Waugh.
Returning to the races at this time of year sets Safado up for the Provincial Championships series with the first heat at Hawkesbury on March 2 over 1400 metres. Waugh has gone close in the Provincial Championship final running third with Oxford Poet (Dylan Thomas) in 2015, third with His Majesty (Shamardal) in 2016 final and second with Newsfan (Zoffany) in 2018.
Safado fits the profile and possesses the talent to progress through the Provincial Championship series.
"The Provincial Championships is his aim this preparation, we'll just see how far he gets and probably look for another race after Gosford before the heats. You really have to time your run as the heats are run over five weeks so it can be a long time to keep them up for it" said Waugh.
"The Provincial Championships is his aim this preparation." - Kim Waugh
Waugh has three horses targeting the Provincial Championships including Safado as well as Spring Charlie (Myboycharlie) and recent Randwick winner Fuchu (All Too Hard) who has strung three wins together this time in. Both horses have built very good records and will be highly regarded.
Safado as a yearling
"Spring Charlie and Fuchu have done enough to get into the heats. We might run Fuchu again Saturday week and then give him a freshen-up before the heats" said Waugh.
Safado is the first foal of multiple city winner Happy Hussy (Hussonet) and was purchased at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $100,000. His grand dam Morinda is a half-sister to multiple stakes winners Wild Queen (Loup Sauvage) and So Gorgeous (Brief Truce).
