Favorite Savaria lands New Zealand Oaks

The Roydon Bergerson-trained Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) notched her third win of 2015 and second at Group level when sustaining favouritism to land the G1 New Zealand Oaks. Jockey Hayden Tinsley had the filly settled midfield on the fence from the inside gate, over five lengths off the steady pace set by Gin Swing (NZ) (Keeper {Aus}). Tinsley had to bide his time when hemmed in at the top of the straight but stuck to the rail and was soon rewarded as a gap presented itself 200 meters from home. The pair powered through to win by 3/4 length from Platinum Witness (Aus) (California Dane {Aus}), with whom they had dead-heated in the G3 Lowland S. three weeks ago, while Charmont (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) was only a nose back in third. Savaria previously lost her maiden tag on New Year’s Day over 1400 meters and was runner-up in the 1800-meter Oaks Prelude Feb. 14, beaten less than a length by Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who finished down the field yesterday. 

“I picked her as my Oaks ride after her maiden win,” the winning jockey said. “She’s a beautiful filly, she’s easy to ride and just goes to sleep.” Awapuni horseman Bergerson was just as upbeat about the NZ$110,000 yearling purchase, commenting, “She’s a damn good filly and from day one I said to [owner] Des [Fleming] that she was something special. She’s proved that today–she’s one out of the box.” “She’s improved all the way through and it was a great ride today and that was the winning of the race,” the conditioner added. The first three home were purchased as yearlings at the New Zealand Bloodstock sales.

Saturday, Trentham, New Zealand
WELLFIELD NEW ZEALAND OAKS-G1, NZ$300,000, TRE, 3-14, 3yo, f, 12fT, 2:29.67, dead.
1–SAVARIA (NZ), 125, f, 3, by Savabeel (Aus)
         1st Dam: Amathea (NZ), by O’Reilly (NZ)
         2nd Dam: Solano (NZ), by Red Glow (GB)
         3rd Dam: Soliloquy (NZ), by Sobig (NZ)
   O-D P & Mrs K C Fleming; B-Mrs J M & T M
   Henderson (NZ); T-Roydon Bergerson; J-Hayden
   Tinsley. NZ$175,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-1,
   NZ$223,800. *NZ$110,000 yrl ‘13 NZBPREM. Werk
   Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the 
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Platinum Witness (Aus), 125, f, 3, California Dane
   (Aus)–Chartreuse (NZ) (MSW-NZ), by St Petersburg
   (Aus). O-Lincoln Farms Ltd & N J McAlister;
   B-Monovale Holdings Ltd (Aus); T-Lisa Latta.
   NZ$56,000. *NZ$55,000 yrl ‘13 NZBSEL.
3–Charmont (Aus), 125, f, 3, High Chaparral (Ire)–
   Martique (Aus) (SW-Aus), by Danehill. O/B-R A Emery
   (Aus); T-Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman.
   NZ$28,000. *NZ$240,000 RNA yrl ‘13 NZBPREM.
Margins: 3/4, NO. Odds: 3.10, 4.10, 7.20. Also Ran: Exquisite Jewel (NZ), Belle Miraaj (NZ), Bel Sorriso (NZ), Saavoya (NZ), Consensus (NZ), Thee Auld Floozie (NZ), Stars In Align (NZ), Gin Swing (NZ), Mary Quant (NZ), Dream Run (NZ), Another Coup (NZ), Tasha Aimee (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.