With race fitness and an inspired ride from Nash Rawiller, Hellbent filly Savvy Hallie went forward from the jump and was not for catching in the Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) with hot favourite Apocalyptic unable to bridge the gap.
Trained by Brad Widdup, Savvy Hallie showed her class last spring winning the Group II ATC Furious Stakes over the same course and distance although on that day the track was a heavy 10.
On a good 4 surface today, the result was the same with Savvy Hallie bouncing out of a fourth placing in the $3million Magic Millions Sunlight Classic slot race last month to claim her second stakes win.
She was strong all the way to the line to win by three-quarters of a length over Apocalyptic, who will take benefit from the run and was probably not that well suited from gate one.
"I had enough confidence in her not to wait for them," said Nash Rawiller.
"I thought, gee I've had all the favours here, I can afford to go before topping the rise and make them chase me down.
"A few of them may have looked like they were coming at some stage of the race, but she was always going to be able to find something over the last hundred."
Brad Widdup can now look towards the Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) in two weeks time with Savvy Hallie and a rematch with Apocalyptic and glamour filly Tempted added to the mix.
"Good, positive ride. That's why we put these guys (top jockeys) on," Widdup said.
"I haven't used Nash a lot for no other reason than we can't get him, so it was nice to get him."
Sold through the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale draft of Baramul Stud for $150,000 to Belmont Bloodstock Agency, Savvy Hallie was then re-offered by Riverstone Lodge at the Inglis Classic yearling sale where current owner B K Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd went to $320,000 to secure the athletic bay.
Savvy Hallie was the most expensive yearling by Hellbent sold in 2024 and has the overall record of three wins and four placings from nine starts with prizemoney topping $844,000.
Bred by Gerry Harvey, she is the second winner from Rose of Savannah, a winning Fastnet Rock grand-daughter of dual Group I winner Savannah Success, dam of champion sire Savabeel.
Westbury Stud sold the current yearling from Rose of Savannah, a colt by Home Affairs, at Karaka Book 1 for $200,000 to Pike Racing.
Rose of Savannah produced a filly last spring by Reliable Man (GB) and was then covered by Hellbent’s sire I Am Invincible.
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