Savatiano raced at the highest level in five runs in the autumn and she didn’t disgrace herself in any of them, so her battling win in Saturday’s Group II PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield was well-deserved.
It was a big result for Mark Zahra and Godolphin as they had just teamed up to win the Listed Regal Roller Stakes with Viridine.
Making her first start since a close-up sith in the Group 1 SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville back on May 2, Savatiano had a two-horse war with Sircconi over the final 200 metres.
The 6yo daughter of Street Cry (IRE) defeated Sircconi (Nicconi) by a half head with a length and a half to Kings Will Dream (Casamento) in third place.
It was the fifth stakes win and third at Group II level for Savatiano who advances her record to 10 wins, 8 seconds and 3 thirds from 33 starts with earnings of $1,761,910.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity," Zahra told Racing.com.
"I think it was Wednesday morning and I had a pretty light book and nothing that really jumped off the page. I got the late call up and very thankful for it with two horses that were fit and ready to go in nice races.
"I was very confident at the 300 (metre mark). I was nearly going to put the whip away and just cruise past Sircconi. Daniel Stackhouse was roaring and I just had to give her a bit of a shake-up. I always thought I was going to get there but it harder than I thought."
The daughter of Street Cry (IRE) is a half-sister to the stakes placed Lonhro filly Athiri who placed in the Group II Blue Diamond Prelude, Group III Magic Night Stakes and Group III Kindergarten Stakes.
They are out of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Retsina who is a daughter of the top-class racemare Star Shiraz who was purchased by Darley for $1,125,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National
Broodmare Sale before on-selling her to Aquis Farm for $200,000, ten years later.
Restsina has a 2yo colt by Hallowed Crown named Vilana and a yearling colt by Lonhro.
She was covered by Street Boss (USA) last spring.
