Widdup hands Surround Stakes ride decisions to Nash Rawiller

Leading from the front in the Light Fingers Stakes, Savvy Hallie sees trainer Brad Widdup content to entrust tactics to veteran rider Nash Rawiller ahead of her elite Group One battle versus standout filly Tempted in the Surround Stakes at Randwick.

The three-year-old stands out as the likely pacemaker in the handpicked field of eight, though Widdup acknowledges the possibility of another contender altering the tempo, assured the filly and jockey will cope.

"I'll leave it up to Nash. You never know, someone might want to go a bit hard this time around," Widdup said.

"We can only worry about ourselves, and we're very happy with her. She's had a trouble free preparation, so fingers crossed she can keep going."

Barrier six is Savvy Hallie's starting position in the premium octet, dominated by Everest second-place finisher Tempted, Flight Stakes champion Apocalyptic, and Thousand Guineas star Ole Dancer on Sydney debut.

A potential downpour adds spice, with predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology ranging from 3mm up to 60mm soon.

Savvy Hallie handles both good and heavy surfaces comfortably, suiting Widdup regardless of the outcome.

The conditioner has yet to claim a Surround Stakes (1400m), but during his Crown Lodge days, Portillo (2009) and Parables (2011) prevailed, and he sees Savvy Hallie as comparable.

"Portillo was a good two-year-old and trained on, Parables came later. But I think Savvy Hallie is definitely in their mould," he said.

"You never get too carried away with this sort of race, but it's great to have a really good chance.

"She hasn't gone backwards and you'd like to think she should be competitive."

Post-Wednesday field release, Tempted sat at $1.60 favoritism, Apocalyptic $4.20, joined in single digits only by Ole Dancer at $8.50 and Savvy Hallie on $9.50.

Visit online bookmakers for the latest betting markets for the race in the Surround Stakes.