Savatiano just might secure that elusive Group 1 win yet.
The talented Godolphin mare made a statement at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday that she still has what it takes to win at racing’s highest level.
She made winning the Group 2 $200,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) look routine, leading throughout to score effortlessly.
This was Savatiano’s fifth Group 2 win of her career and the third this season after her spring carnival successes in the Lawrence Stakes and Hot Danish Stakes.
Savatiano in style! Beautiful ride from @HugeBowman to take out the Expressway Stakes for @godolphinpic.twitter.com/2mth0ucUgG Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 30, 2021
David Payne is credited with the understatement of the year when he says that his Wyong-bound filly Desert Flame is ‘knocking on the door’.
Hammering more like it, and if ‘form’ counts for anything, Payne will have to start looking for a suitable Class 1 for the daughter of Pride Of Dubai come Monday.
Desert Flame is back in class (and how) after her last start third at Warwick Farm when although well behind, she refused to yield any ground in the run to the line.
“I think he (the jockey) would have been better off letting her stride,’’ Payne said.
The Group 2 Villiers Stakes trophy stayed with Mark Newnham after the local conditioner combined with Rachel King for successive wins in the summer feature mile.
Greysful Glamour was too quick for them in controlling the race from start to finish to hold out the Godolphin duo Best Of Days and Criaderas and give Newnham and King another win after being successful with Quackerjack in 2019.
The good track was played very fast with Happy Clapper’s record in the Group 2 Villiers eclipsed while two horses went close to bettering Yes Yes Yes’ 1200m track record.
The majority of winners came from on speed but overall, it was a great day of racing with some outstanding performances.