Firmer the better for Savannah Amour

Darryl Sherer - Saturday September 2

A firmer surface and a gear change made the winning difference to Savanna Amour in Saturday's Group III Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Savannah Amour (yellow) winning the Cockram Stakes. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Savanna Amour could finish only seventh last time out in the Group III Bletchingly Stakes at Sandown however, back on a good surface and against her own sex the four-year-old was back to her best.

In traffic around the home turn, Ben Melham switched towards the inside in the straight and Savanna Amour ($9 - $15) quickened up to come through and defeat Flying Jess ($81), which came from last, by a short head with Written Era ($21) a nose away third.

Melham said the blinkers almost worked too well.

"She travelled really strong in the blinkers today and probably carried me a bit closer than I expected," Melham said.

"She towed me into traffic and I was lucky it opened up in the straight. I knew I had plenty of horse but I had nowhere to go.

"The firmer track helped her as well, she just didn't handle it at Sandown."

Savanna Amour won the Group III Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield in the autumn and Meagher said the daughter of Love Conquers All was a different horse on top of the ground.

"I was disappointed after the first-up run but Ben (Melham) told me not to worry," Meagher said.

"The firmer track here today was in her favour and she travelled strong in the blinkers so it all worked out in the end."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Athletic Queenslander launches Melbourne campaign
Queenslander Savanna Amour was well backed before the postponed Bletchingly Stakes but trainer John Meagher will be delighted if his mare can simply run into the placings in the Group III race on Sunday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.