No loitering as Savy Yong Blonk wins classic
WELLINGTON: Jockey Danielle Johnson turned in an outstanding ride for quality mare Savy Yong Blonk to prevail in the group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday.
The Jamie Richardstrained 6yrold opened her spring campaign with an appealing run for sixth behind Callsign Mav in the Tarzino Trophy last month.
After a disappointing secondup effort where she bombed the start over 1600m at Te Rapa, Johnson made sure there was no repeat and bounced the daughter of Savabeel away nicely from barrier 6, settling one out in midfield. The combination loomed into contention on the back of stablemate Prise De Fer with 400m to run.
Angled the widest in the home straight, Savy Yong Blonk produced a sustained burst of speed to drive hard after Harlech, who swept to the lead inside the final 200m.
Harlech fought bravely for second, with Prise De Fer third.
‘‘You just have to take her on trust to get away from the gates cleanly, which she did today and Danielle gave her a lovely ride,’’ trainer Jamie Richards said.
“She is off to visit (Waikato Stud stallion) Super Seth and we will then race her on and hope to pickup another one (group 1 win) if we can. ‘‘I am absolutely thrilled she has a group 1 now as she thoroughly deserves it.”
Johnson was both delighted and relieved to secure victory after being narrowly beaten twice earlier in the day.
‘‘It has been a long day and I’m very glad I held on to this one,’’she said.
‘‘I ended up getting on the back of Troy Harris (Prise De Fer), who I thought was the horse to beat and she has just been too good.’’
Bred and raced by Jim and Bill Gartshore, under their Gartshore Bloodstock banner, Savy Yong Blonk has now won eight of her 27 starts and over $486,000 in prizemoney.
She is the 24th individual group 1 winner for Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel.