Godolphin had some unfinished business with the six-year-old Street Cry (Ire) mare Savatiano – put a Group 1 on the resume, which she achieved in Saturday’s $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.
With seven stakes wins already to her name, including five at Group II level, Savatiano had placed in two of her previous six attempts at Group 1 level.
With Hugh Bowman in the saddle, the James Cummings-trained mare looked set for a comfortable win. Then Mizzy, trained by James’ father Anthony, emerged from the pack.
In a head-bobbing finish, Savatiano edged Mizzy by a short-half-head to deny Mizzy’s sire Zoustar an extraordinary day.
Masked Crusader (Toronado) came from last to finish a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.
Savatiano advanced her record to thirteen wins, nine seconds and three thirds from 38 starts with earnings of $2,453,260.
“She had a perfect preparation for this race and she was the deserving winner,” James Cummings said.
“We tossed and turned about whether to run her against the colt (Bivouac).
“It’s a point we made during the week. If he gets a couple of things wrong up to 1300m he is vulnerable, and we might as well have the horse to come along and beat him.
“She now has a deserving Group 1. She had won over $2m in prizemoney without winning that Group 1. Outside of Classique Legend, there wouldn’t be too many other horses around the world to do that.
“Hugh made her do it. He made a race of it before the turn. But she held off a late challenger. She demonstrated all her Group 1 courage.”
Savatiano is a half-sister to the dual Listed stakes-winner Athiri (Lonhro), 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, a daughter of the top-class racemare Star Shiraz, purchased by Darley for $1,125,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Star Shiraz was sold to Aquis Farm for $200,000, ten years later.
Retsina has a 2yo colt by Hallowed Crown named Vilana, a yearling colt by Lonhro and a colt foal by Street Boss (USA).
The daughter of Redoute’s Choice was covered by Blue Point (IRE) last spring.
