Savvy Hallie's Dominance in the Sheraco Stakes
With a determined ride from Nash Rawiller, Savvy Hallie took control early and was never seriously challenged on her way to winning the $300,000 Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
This marks Savvy Hallie's third Group 2 victory, and trainer Michael Widdup is eager to finally capture a top-flight Group 1 win with the impressive mare.
Widdup highlighted the Group 1 $1 million Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 27 and the lucrative Group 1 $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17 as potential major goals for Savvy Hallie.
"She is definitely a Group 1 horse, we've got to try and win them now,'' Widdup stated. "She is back in form now so fingers crossed she keeps going.
"The Manikato in Melbourne is the fork in the road but that looks pretty strong now, and The Everest has been mentioned.
"I would love to run her in The Invitation, hopefully they will give us an invitation, it would be nice to stay here but we will have a look at Melbourne next.''
The fast-starting Savvy Hallie ($20) led from barrier to post, fending off Gangsta Granny ($6) by a neck, with the favourite Lazzura ($2.90) a further half-neck back in third.
Savvy Hallie's winning time for the 1200m was a swift 1 minute 8.85 seconds, just 0.05 seconds shy of the race record established by Sunshine In Paris in 2023.
Her win was a significant improvement after finishing last in the Toy Show Quality at Randwick the previous month, although Widdup maintained that excuses existed for that poor performance.
"Savvy Hallie has done it before,'' Widdup explained. "We took her to the Gold Coast and thought she would be terribly hard to beat there but she was flat. She ran fourth and wasn't at her best.
"First-up the other day, she did get slammed out of the gates and went to the inside which was a no-go zone.
"There were other things, apparently she was lame but she's not lame today. There was not a thing wrong with her and she has proved that today.
"Nash was positive today and that is her at her best. He would have been positive last start if he was allowed too but it didn't happen and that's racing.
"She has been perfect since we got her home and it's great to get another win.''
Rawiller observed that Savvy Hallie was a "different horse" at Rosehill compared to her uninspired run at Randwick last month.
"I didn't put that much weight on her getting checked out of the gates the other day, but I guess when you knock four lengths off them out of the gates it makes it hard to overcome that,'' Rawiller remarked.
"It meant a bit to me that win because I've had a good association with her. We were all pretty disappointed last time but kept the faith that she would bounce back, and it was great to see her come here today and do that."
The jockey agreed with Widdup regarding Savvy Hallie's capacity to compete at Group 1 level.
"I've seen a lot of them, there are a lot of horses that have got that potential and they're damn hard to win, those Group 1 races,'' Rawiller commented.
"But this is a mare that I think can definitely measure (up) to that level going forward.
"She will be wrapped up in kid gloves now and they'll find another one (race) for her. It was a very exciting win.
"She has got a lovely attitude and is a beautiful filly. I was lucky I probably got on her at the right time, winning the Group 2 on her at Randwick and I won't get off her until the day she dies. I'll stick with her."
Widdup indicated that the Manikato Stakes is the most likely next start for Savvy Hallie, presenting an opportunity for Group 1 success.
"Obviously the Manikato Stakes is there, plus there are good races here at home and we have got the Invitation and things like that,'' Widdup said.
"But we will get her home, make sure she is right and go from there."
Considering the Manikato Stakes, exploring online bookmakers for the best racing betting markets will be a key step for punters.
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