Saavoya’s in High Ranking for NZB Filly of the Year

Promising filly Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel) lined herself up as a strong contender for Filly of the Year when taking victory in the Group 2 $100,000 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie yesterday.

Saavoya (NZ) triumphant in the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

One of three runners for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Saavoya claimed 8 points in NZB’s Filly of the Year Series, placing her in second place behind current leader Platinum Witness (California Dane).

The three-year-old filly broke her maiden status fresh up two starts ago followed by an unlucky fifth two weeks ago at Te Rapa.

“She is a good filly but you just didn’t know how the form would stack up given she hadn’t raced against most of these before,” commented co-trainer Andrew Forsman.

Jockey Craig Grylls positioned Saavoya mid-field over the 1600m race. The late stages of the race saw Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj) who was handy throughout the trip and Saavoya battle against each other as they crossed the line.

Saavoya claimed the Group 2 victory by a head over Sardaaj and finishing in third place was Tavy (NZ) (Tavistock), making a Karaka trifecta in the fourth leg of the Filly Series.

“She’s looking for further and that showed at the finish as she was strong to the line. At this stage we will wait until we see how she pulls up but I think the Royal Stakes on the last day of the Carnival is a definite prospect,” said Forsman.

After yesterday’s win, Saavoya has now earned $70,525 for owners Waimarama Partnership Syndicate.

The daughter of Savabeel was purchased at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale for $22,000 by Rogerson Bloodstock from Trelawney Stud.

Bred by Pukhraj Breeding and Racing, Saavoya is out of winning mare Royal Prize (Prized) who is a half-sister to Dancing Away (Danzatore), who was second in the Group 1 Karrakatta Plate.

Winning the fourth leg of the Filly of the Year Series has placed Saavoya in second-place. Leading the Series is Platinum Witness on 12 points and Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) is now in third position with 7 points.

The next race in the Series is the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes held at Ellerslie Racecourse on New Year’s Day.

Earlier in the day, the Baker and Forsman team produced impressive two-year-old Del Cielo (NZ) (Per Incanto) to win the $40,000 DHL 2YO 1100m. The win places the son of first season sire Per Incanto in fourth position on the Karaka Million Order of Entry, cementing a place in the field.

To view the NZB Filly of the Year Leaderboard, click here.