Savvy Coup (NZ) Dominant in Livamol Classic

Karaka graduate Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel) added another Group 1 to her sparkling CV with an easy two-length win in Saturday’s $250,000 Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.

The $65,000 Premier Sale purchase was New Zealand’s champion three-year-old last season, winning three stakes races in an impressive campaign including the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

After eye-catching performances to run fifth and second in Group 1 races over 1400 and 1600 metres on the first two days of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival, she stepped up to a middle-distance on Saturday and dominated.

Rider Chris Johnson settled his mount just worse than midfield for most of the race, then angled her out into the clear 700 metres from home and going for gold in the straight.

Savvy Coup swept to the lead and quickly put the result beyond any doubt, winning by two lengths from multiple Group 1 winner Lizzie L’Amour(NZ) (Zabeel) and the classy Karaka graduate Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman).

“I didn’t want to get ahead of myself but when she ran second the other day we were so confident,” said popular co-trainer Michael Pitman, who is currently battling bowel cancer.

“She’s not a mile horse, yet she ran second to the best sprinter-miler in the country and was taking ground off her.

“Chris was adamant she should have won that day but I was rapt to run second. This is a big thrill, I tell you.”

Savvy Coup has now had 16 starts for six wins, five placings and $669,569 in stakes – more than 10 times her purchase price.