Saavoya Strikes a Double

Talented filly Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel) displayed a striking performance when achieving successive stakes wins in the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie yesterday.

Saavoya (NZ) achieves second Group 2 success in the New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman backed up the Savabeel filly on New Year’s Day after winning the fourth leg in the NZB Filly of the Year Series, the Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic, on Boxing Day.

“I thought she would go a good race,” commented co-trainer Murray Baker. “She is bred to stay and she is a good honest filly.”

Craig Grylls continued his association with Saavoya as the pair jumped from barrier 10 and travelled well back in the field. Making ground with ease, Grylls pushed forward at the 300m, dashing to the front along with race-favourite Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) who was making her bid on the outside.

The pair stormed six lengths ahead of the field with Saavoya holding on to claim her back-to-back win by half a length. Finishing in second was Vavasour and Charmont (High Chaparral) ran a strong race to claim third place, fashioning a Karaka trifecta.

“Saavoya will probably follow the Filly of the Year Series and will race in the next Waikato race in the Series and hopefully towards the Oaks,” Baker said.

The daughter of Savabeel has had eight starts in total making this her third win from her last four starts, increasing her winnings to $130,525 for owners Waimarama Partnership Syndicate.

Saavoya 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), a half-sister to Dancing Away (Danzatore), who was second in the Group 1 Karrakatta Plate.

Winning two Group 2 races in the Series has now earned her a position on top of the leaderboard with 16 points. Platinum Witness (California Dane) now sits in second place with 12 points and Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) is in third position with 7 points.

The next race in the NZB Filly of the Year Series is the Group 3 Wellfield Desert Gold Stakes at the Wellington Racing Club on 24 January. The Group 3 Wellfield Desert Gold Stakes is also the second leg of the Wellfield Stud Triple Crown Series.

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