McKee doubles up at Trentham

In-form trainer Stephen McKee prepared a winning double at Trentham last Saturday with Floria (Savabeel) and Eight Schillings (O’Reilly).

Floria continued Savabeel’s hot run with a fighting victory in the G3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m).  She showed a good turn-of-foot in the straight to come from behind to claim Dating (O’Reilly) by a nose.

Floria is the 14th stakes winner for Savabeel who is having another successful month with Scarlett Lady winning G1 New Zealand Stakes and Lady Kipling claiming the G2 Cal Isuzu Stakes.

Bred by Richard Moore, Floria was purchased by Trevor McKee from Soliloquy Lodge at NZ Bloodstock’s 2009 Karaka Premier Sale for $80,000.

Eight Schillings completed a hat-trick in the LR Lightning Handicap following wins at Pukekura and Te Rapa in February.  He led home a NZ Bloodstock trifecta with a half-a-length win over Keep The Conflict (Keeper) and Galaxy Star (Falkirk).

Eight Schillings is the 55th stakes winner for champion sire O’Reilly who is having another big season courtesy of his G1 New Zealand Derby winning daughter Silent Achiever.

Bred by Edwin and Lynis Aroa, Eight Schillings was purchased by David Archer from Brighthill Farm at NZ Bloodstock’s 2009 Karaka Premier Sale for $90,000.   Archer is better known as the part-owner of sprinting sensation (King) Mufhasa.