Pitman eyes rich ‘bonus’
YALDHURST trainer Michael Pitman has called in the big guns in his quest for the richest victory of his career in the ATC Oaks on Saturday.
Pitman and his son, Matthew, will saddle up one of the favourites for the $A1 millon ($NZ2.11 million) classic in Savvy Coup, who has not raced since winning the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on March 21.
Victory would put the filly bang in the middle of the conversation for New Zealand Horse of the Year, especially as it would make her the only New Zealandtrained galloper to win two group 1 races so far this season.
But Pitman is not thinking of such lofty goals yet.
‘‘I know it is worth a million dollars, which would make it the richest race I’ve ever won, but it really would be a bonus for us,’’ Pitman said.
‘‘It would be a big bonus and it would be the highlight of my career but the race we set out to win with this filly was the New Zealand Oaks and we have accomplished that.
‘‘So this is the logical next target and very much an extra. But now we are here and she is so well I think we have a real show.’’
Pitman, who has trained 22 previous winners in Australia, knows he has picked a tough year to seek his first ATC Oaks, as Saturday’s field boasts real depth, including three other New Zealand fillies.
‘‘We have picked a tough one and those Aussie fillies are particularly good on top of the ground, whereas any rain would help all four New Zealand horses.
‘‘But in saying that I think we have as much, if not more, tacti cal speed than most of these horses so she has a real chance.’’
How that tactical speed is best used will come down to the magic hands of premiership winner Chris Johnson, for whom Pitman has enlisted help from one of Sydney racing’s best brains.
‘‘Chris comes over [tonight] with Matthew and he will walk the Randwick track with Ron Quinton [tomorrow].’’
As a jockey, Quinton won three AJC Oaks (as the race was known then) and a string of Sydney premierships before becoming a successful trainer.
From barrier 2 Pitman expects Johnson to end up three deep on the fence with Savvy Coup, and set to chase down likely leader Hiyaam and former Kiwi jockey Michael Dee.
‘‘I think Hiyaam is the one to beat but if we get the right breaks we will get our chance.’’
Ruakaka trainer Chris Gibbs has Danzdanzdance in the race. The exciting filly was ridden in trackwork yesterday by comeback Kiwi star James McDonald, who did much riding for Gibbs and former training partner Donna Logan when he was based in New Zealand.
McDonald has been allowed to ride trackwork and at trials for just over a week as he enters the last month of his 18month disqualification from riding and hones his fitness before his May 16 comeback.
Gibbs got a positive report from McDonald but would like some easing of the track before Saturday when Michael Walker will ride Danzdanzdance.
Savvy Coup and Danzdanzdance are joined in the Oaks by New Zealand’s iron filly, Contessa Vanessa, and She’s A Treasure, who ran on for sixth in her Australian debut last Saturday. — NZME