Ashlee ticks Group 1 off her bucket list

Bathurst harness racing trainer-driver Ashlee Grives can now tick Group 1 winner off her bucket list.

The 34-year-old horsewoman obtained her first success at that level when her consistent Warrawee Needy filly Saveeon went out on a high note winning the $100,000 NSW Breeders Challenge Blue Final at Menangle on Saturday (Nov. 12).

Go back 10 years ago, Grives nee Siejka, was one of the leading drivers in New South Wales.

After taking a backseat from driving, Grives then stepped into the world of thoroughbred training.

Now the mum of two has started more standardbreds this season and has trained 12 winners in 64 starters.

Providing six of those wins has been Saveeon.

The two-year-old has had 14 starts this term for four minor placings as well.

But the icing on the cake was Saturday night’s victory.

“It’s great,” said Grives.

“I just hoped she had one more run in her and she ran well in the end.”

After remaining undefeated in the Breeders Challenge major series until finishing fifth in the final, Saturday night was Saveeon’s time to shine.

Starting $1.25 favourite, Grives worked early with her pacer facing the breeze but then cover came thanks to Darren McCall and his filly Miss Froufrou.

Katastrophee led and the quarters were 27.7, 30.2, 28.6 and 27.7 seconds and Saveeon had plenty left in the tank to go on and win by more than three metres in a rate of 1:54.2.

SAVEEON REPLAY

“It just worked out perfectly in the end,” said Grives.

Saveeon was bred by the Grives family out of their Shadow Play mare Zibibbo – a winner of 11 races and $115,188 in stakes.

“Her mum gave us a lot of thrills but she had a lot of problems as well and didn’t reach her full potential on the racetrack,” said Grives.

“It’s rewarding to see that she is breeding on well.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink