The James Cummings-trained Savatiano has now won 10 of her 33 starts and she followed the earlier lead of stablemate Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}), who triumphed in the Listed Evergreen Turf Regal Roller S.
Jockey Mark Zahra also shared in the Blue Army’s celebrations with perfect displays aboard both representatives, with Godolphin also in the winner’s enclosure at the Randwick meeting with Varda (Lonhro).
Savatiano was making her first appearance since she finished sixth in the G1 Goodwood H. at Morphettville in May and, true to form, she produced another dynamic fresh effort to post her fifth success following a break.
“She came into this preparation similar to the way she entered the autumn. She wasn’t campaigned in the winter and James and the team gave her a nice spell.
“We saw that pattern play out really well last preparation when she won the G2 Millie Fox S. first-up and showed herself to be a top-flight race mare and the same recipe has worked for us again today,” stable representative Sean Keogh said.
Determined finish
Savatiano was bounced by Zahra out to hold a handy spot in the running on Saturday and she hit the front 200 metres from home.
Sirrconi (Nicconi) kicked back strongly, but the mare wasn’t to be denied and she prevailed by 0.2l with Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) a gallant third and the winner’s barnmate Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) fourth.
“She put away a serious field off one public trial so she will derive a lot of natural benefit from that,” Keogh said.
“He (Cascadian) raced a little bit on the fresh side for Damien Oliver so it was a very good run as well. These horses had galloped earlier in the week at Osborne Park and they went to the line head to head so we were quite confident with both of them.”
An older half-sister to the Group performer Athiri (Lonhro), Savatiano is a daughter of Retsina (Redoute’s Choice), who is out of the G1 QTC Sires’ Produce S. winner Star Shiraz (Sequalo).
Viridine victorious
Viridine has been in outstanding form this preparation having won the G3 Bletchingly S. at Caulfield last month and showed his competitive spirit to ward off Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) to land the Regal Roller.
A model professional, Viridine was drawn wide at the top of the straight by Zahra and the 6-year-old knuckled down to earn a 0.1l decision with She Shao Fly (Epaulette) third.
Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) made a solid enough return to finish third with the well-supported Bumper Blast (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) failing to live up to his support and beat only one home.
Viridine is a half-brother to the winner and stakes-performer St Edward’s Crown (Epaulette) with their dam the three-time winner Patina (Anabaa {USA}). She is a half-sister to the Listed Ramornie H., winner Jerezana (Lonhro), who produced the G2 TAB S. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}).
