Savatiano could be suprise packet in Widden Stakes

Well bred filly Savatiano could be a surprise packet when she makes her race day debut in the Group 3 $150,000 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jockey Blake Shinn, above, rides Divine Messenger in the Widden Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Jockey Blake Shinn, above, rides Divine Messenger in the Widden Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Trainer John O’Shea wouldn’t be astounded if Savatiano stormed over the top of her rival fillies at the finish of the Widden Stakes to claim a debut win.

O’Shea said that the stable have a high opinion of the Street Cry filly and even though he believes she will be better suited over a longer journey, he can see her making up plenty of ground over the concluding stages.

“We quite like (Savatiano), but it could just be a matter of whether she’s sharp enough,” O’Shea told Racing New South Wales News.

“I expect her to take a little time to find her feet and then attack the line.”

Savatiano has had one public barrier trial for a sixth over 805m at Warwick Farm on January 10 and will jump from barrier eight in the thirteen horse field with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle.

The betting for the Widden Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au on Friday afternoon has Savatiano marked at $15 in an open betting race that has first starters Boorooj and Divine Messenger and race winners Teaspoon and Sebring Express all battling for favouritism.

Divine Messenger from the newly established Sydney stable of leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan holds a slight advantage at $6 coming off a win in a recent 900m barrier trial at Rosehill on January 17 while The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Boorooj, Michael Freedman’s Teaspoon and Sebring Express from the Gary Porrtelli stable all share the second spot in the market order at $6.50.

Teaspoon is the winner of her only race start in an 1100m 2yo Plate at Canterbury on November 5 while Sebring Express won her maiden two starts back at Wyong before finishing fifth in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick on December 17.

Divine Messenger will jump from the extreme outside barrier in the thirteen horse field with Blake Shinn in the saddle while Boorooj is not much better off at gate eleven with Brenton Avdulla to ride.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.