Savvy Coup Stars in Lowland Stakes

Star South Island filly Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel) moved up to equal third place on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series points table with a dominant performance in Thursday’s $70,000 Group 3 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.

Previously the winner of the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m), Savvy Coup went into Thursday’s race with 6 points to her name. She doubled that score with her stylish Lowland victory, and she is now the favourite for the $400,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 17.

After sitting in midfield, jockey Chris Johnson angled Savvy Coup into the clear at the top of the straight. With the same acceleration she had previously shown over shorter distances, she charged down the outside and raced away to score with ease. Milseain (NZ) (Tavistock) finished two and a quarter lengths away in second, with Caricature (NZ) (Power) making up ground late for third.

“We were always confident that she would improve over more distance,” said Matthew Pitman, who trains in partnership with his father Michael.

“She’s got an amazing turn of foot. Chris gave her a beautiful run, and once she got out into the open she closed it off beautifully. We’ve always thought she’d be a great chance in the Oaks, and a lot of Oaks winners have come out of this race, so we’re very happy going forward.”

Savvy Coup has now had 11 starts for four wins, four placings and $213,375 in prizemoney. Her 12 points put her in equal third place on the Filly of the Year Series table alongside Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel). Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars) is second with 13.5, while Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy) maintains a clear lead with 30.

Second-placed Milseain picked up another 3 points to lift her score to 6.5, while Caricature earned her first 1.5 points of the Series.

The Series continues on Saturday with the ninth leg, the $70,000 Group 3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie, with the Oaks providing the grand finale two weeks later.