Star Kiwi Mare Savvy Coup to Join Waller Stable

Media Release - Wednesday November 14

Dual Group One winner Savvy Coup will remain in Australia after failing to fire in a two-start campaign in Melbourne and will join the Sydney stable of Chris Waller.

Savvy CoupPrepared by Michael and Matthew Pitman to win last season's Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in October, Savvy Coup was well-held in both the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).

The daughter of Savabeel has gone for a freshen-up and will be aimed at targets in the autumn.

"I can understand what they're doing," Michael Pitman said of the decision by stalwart owners Ray Coupland and Jim Bruford.

"I've told them I'm disappointed but it's very hard to place a mare like her in New Zealand.

"If she ran in the set weights and penalties races, because she's won two Group One races she'll be near enough to the top weight.

"We've had input into the decision making process, they haven't left us out of it. I fully understand and going forward I think it's the logical thing for them to do with her."

"For every door that shuts another one opens and hopefully one of the young horses we have got steps up to the mark.

"We've got a really nice Savabeel that Jim Bruford and I own in partnership, so we're looking forward."

Pitman was also relieved to be out of hospital after follow-up surgery from his recent bowel cancer operation and said he hoped to make an appearance at Riccarton on New Zealand Cup Day.

"I've been having trouble with my pelvis filling up with fluid and I'm on antibiotics three times a day," he said.

"I'm not in the peak of condition but at least I'm not lying in a hospital bed." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Express Yourself Returns to NZ
Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
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.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
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.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.