SAVVY’S BACK – AND NOW ON A GROUP 1 MISSION

HOW quickly we forget!

Classy Hawkesbury mare Savvy Hallie remarkably was sent out at $20 in winning yesterday’s Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens against her own sex despite having already being a dual victor at that level, and almost defeating current The Everest second favorite Tempted in elite Group 1 company.

Punters steered clear of Savvy Hallie (Nash Rawiller) after her first-up defeat (last of seven in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality, 1100m at Royal Randwick on August 22 when a $3.30 second favorite), even though leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup had noted she also didn’t quite run up to expectations at the beginning of her previous campaign.

“I felt she would be hard to beat in the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) at the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January when fourth to Grafterburners (Savvy Hallie’s stablemate Nashville Jack ran second at $71),” Widdup said today.

“She bounced out of that race and won the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick the following month.

“Of course I was disappointed in how she ran at Randwick recently, but she struck some trouble at the start and raced on the inside, where the going wasn’t the best that day.

“Savvy Hallie had not put a foot wrong since the Toy Show.

“I was amazed at her price yesterday.

“Her major owner Brad Hunt (BK Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd) is a conservative man, but even asked me before the race whether something was wrong when she kept easing in the betting.

“My only instruction to Nash yesterday was to make sure she began well.

“He did that, and once she took up the running, was always going to be hard to catch.”

In defeating Gangsta Granny ($6) and $2.90 favorite Lazzura, Savvy Hallie lifted her record to four wins (three of them now Group 2s) and five placings from 13 starts for earnings of nearly $1.162m.

With Savvy Hallie back on course, Widdup’s next aim is to further boost her value as a future broodmare by snaring a Group 1 triumph.

That opportunity may come in the $2m Manikato Stakes (1200m) – previously run at Moonee Valley, currently 4undergoing a major track reconstruction) – at Caulfield on September 27.

“It’s a Sunday meeting (because of the AFL grand final in Melbourne the previous day) and is run at weight-for-age, so Nash will be able to continue his association with her,” Widdup said.

“There is the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) for fillies and mares at Rosehill the day before the Manikato, but at this stage I’d say we will be heading south.”

Widdup also is keen to give stablemate Tenenbaum a crack at adding a Group 1 to his resume at his next start – but without having to travel as far.

The $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday week is his immediate target.

Tenenbaum ($4.80) earned a Golden Rose start with an excellent third to Persian Wonder in yesterday’s Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill.

Tenenbaum, a beautifully-bred son of Snitzel, fetched $750,000 for Widdup’s major client Mulberry Racing at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale.

“He ran great yesterday, and has pulled up well,” Widdup said.

“That was his second run back, and should have him spot on for the Golden Rose.” STORY BY JOHN CURTIS, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026. PIC BRADLEY PHOTOS.