Debutant Sauvestre has stamped himself as a Brisbane carnival contender with his last-stride win at Canterbury.
The Chris Waller-trained colt was an $11 chance in Wednesday’s 1200m-maiden handicap for two-year-olds and showed his tenacity to nab Inveigle ($3.70) on the line and win by a short head.
Although the margin was tight, Sauvestre displayed a professionalism beyond his experience to get the decision.
The stable will now look to take him to Brisbane for the J J Atkins, one of two Group One races reinstated to the winter carnival which was originally scrapped because of the economic impact of the coronavirus.
“It was a fantastic win today,” stable representative Charlie Duckworth said.
“He has always promised plenty to us but has taken a bit of time to come to hand.
“As you know, at this time of year it is very important for these two-year-old colts to step up and it is great to see that there is now a J J Atkins to go ahead.
“It is obviously a race that can be targeted with a colt like this. It was great to get the win out of the way on the first time of asking.”
A $500,000 Magic Millions yearling, Sauvestre trialled four times before Wednesday.
The meeting was the first held at the inner city track for two months.
The regular midweek racing venue has been closed for racing to house international autumn carnival runners in quarantine.
English horse Addeybb has become the centre’s most famous resident with his two Group One wins in the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.