Rawiller and Savvy Hallie steal the show in Light Fingers Stakes upset
In a tidy surprise, Savvy Hallie accelerated away from odds-on shot Apocalyptic to nab the opening three-year-old fillies showdown of the Sydney carnival in the Light Fingers Stakes.
Apocalyptic entered off a Princess Series triumph in spring and was backed at $1.50, leaving Savvy Hallie as the $3.70 danger.
The runner-up favourite from Brad Widdup's stable stepped up emphatically, bossing the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) from ahead and fending off Apocalyptic for a three-quarters of a length margin.
Tommy Berry, aboard the beaten favourite, indicated Savvy Hallie's soft section upfront posed big issues.
"It was always going to make it hard from the home turn onwards," Berry said.
"The leader got a picnic there in front. That was always a possibility.
"I like the way she hit the line late. She will be better suited at the 1400 metres."
Brad Widdup couldn't hide his delight, lauding Nash Rawiller's aggressive approach that dictated terms.
"Good, positive ride. That's why we put these guys (top jockeys) on," Widdup said.
"I haven't used Nash a lot for no other reason than we can't get him, so it was nice to get him."
Savvy Hallie heads to her debut at 1400m in the Group 1 Surround Stakes as confirmed by Widdup, taking on Apocalyptic once more and Tempted after her colts and geldings scalp in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) return.
Rawiller revealed leading wasn't the blueprint but he committed when alone in front, backing the filly to quicken atop the straight and deter chasers.
"I had enough confidence in her not to wait for them," Rawiller said.
"I thought, gee I've had all the favours here, I can afford to go before topping the rise and make them chase me down.
"A few of them may have looked like they were coming at some stage of the race but she was always going to be able to find something over the last hundred."
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The post Savvy Rawiller pinches Light Fingers Stakes on Hallie first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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