Savvy Coup targets rich Aussie Oaks

TOP filly Savvy Coup has the right credentials to continue New Zealand’s run of success in next month’s A$1 million Australian Oaks (2400m).

The daughter of Savabeel bagged the first leg of a prized double yesterday with a sublime victory in the $400,000 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham and will step out next in the Randwick feature on April 14.

‘‘The way she won today we have to go, she’s a very fit horse and the last two winners have done the same thing, so we’ll take that path as well,’’ said Matthew Pitman, who trains Savvy Coup with his father Michael at Riccarton.

Stephen Marsh’s Sofia Rosa was relegated to second behind Fanatic in the 2016 New Zealand Oaks before winning the Sydney classic and the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-prepared Bonneval won both Group Ones last season.

Savvy Coup’s win completed a red letter day at Trentham for the stable, who had earlier enjoyed success in the Cuddle Stakes (1600m) with Montoya Star.

‘‘This is massive for us and all our team work incredibly hard,’’ Pitman said. ‘‘We’ve had an incredible year.’’

Savvy Coup provided rider Chris Johnson, who opted to ride the three-year-old over runner-up Contessa Vanessa, with his fifth Oaks winner.

‘‘I’ve been lucky enough to ride the two best fillies and I got on the right one,’’ the 53-year-old said.

‘‘She’s tough and very talented. Group Ones are hard to win, especially at my age.’’ Savvy Coup settled midfield on the outer before Johnson made his move 800m from home.

‘‘I couldn’t really hang on to her much longer, I would have preferred to wait, but the pace steadied and I didn’t want to get too far off them when they quickened,’’ Johnson said.

Savvy Coup drew alongside Contessa Vanessa 400m out before easing clear to win by a lengtha-nd-a-quarter, with Milseain a similar distance back in third.

A OUTSTANDING three-year-old Scott Base overcame a chequered home straight run to snatch victory by a camera pixel in the $100,000 Wellington Guineas (1400m).

The Dalghar gelding made his racetrack return following a slight setback that derailed his New Zealand Derby (2400m) aspirations earlier in the month.

In tight conditions over the concluding stages, rider Vinnie Colgan gathered his mount, and under a vigorous hands and heels ride, Scott Base drove hard to get in the winning bob to deny Paulownia on the line.

So close was the finish, veteran commentator Tony Lee originally plumped for the regally-bred Paulownia as the winner.