Despite flying under the radar for the greater portion of her career to date, the striking black mare Savanna Amour has been a little star for connections.
The Chris Meagher-trained mare recorded her fifth stakes success in Saturday's Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Doomben.
She was forced to earn it the hard way as Ben Melham bullied his way through a narrow opening before drawing away to defeat Missile Coda (Smart Missile) by a long neck, with half a length to Sony Legend (Hard Spun) in third. (photo Steve Hart)
The 4yo daughter of Love Conquers All won the Group II Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield in February last year then back it up by winning the Group III Gold Coast Guineas a fortnight later.
Taken back to Melbourne by trainer Chis Meagher last spring, she added the Group III W.W. Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield followed by the Group III How Now Stakes over the same track and distance. She rounded out her spring campaign with a second in the Group III Begonia Belle Stakes at Flemington.
"We knew we had her cherry ripe, there's still a bit of improvement in her but obviously the huge query was the ground," Meagher said.
"Ben gave her a peach of a ride and she showed what she can do."
The Group 1 Tatt's Tiara in two weeks will be Savanna Amour's winter target.
A $100,000 purchase by Ontrack Thoroughbreds from the Toolooganvale Farm draft at the 2015 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Savanna Amour advances her record to 7 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds from 16 starts with earnings of $606,823.
She is the third foal of the Stravinsky mare Savanna La Mar a 5-time winner in Brisbane.
Purchased for $70,000 by Newgate Farm at the 2010 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Savanna La Mar is a half-sister to Group III winner Voodoo Beat out of Cajun Magic (Twig Moss) a half-sister to Group I Golden Slipper winner Marauding.
Savanna La Mar has a 3yo colt by Pierro and a yearling filly by Dissident that was purchased by Henderson Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock $215,000 at this year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Sadly, Savanna La Mar's Super One foal died, and she was not covered last year.
Savanna Amour is one of 58 live foals from the first crop of Love Conquers All (Mossman) who stands at a fee of $8,800 at Sun Stud, Victoria this year.
