Stable chasing inter-Island success

5 December 2014

The leading trainers at the New Zealand Cup carnival will be attacking on two fronts in the next couple of days.

Michael and Matthew Pitman produced six winners over the three days at Riccarton and will again have form contenders at southern headquarters on Friday as well as three runners at Saturday’s Wellington meeting.

Highly-regarded stayer Southern Sav (NZ) (Savabeel) was a winner over ground at the cup meeting and he will appreciate a return to distance racing in the Hiremaster Premier at Trentham.

“I think he’s a New Zealand Cup horse in waiting and the further he goes the better he’ll be,” Michael Pitman said.

Southern Sav was a winner at Trentham earlier this year while The Governator (NZ) (Deputy Governor), who steps out in the Haight Ashbury Hairdressing Premier, has won twice on the course.

“He’s in a good field and he’s taking on Allan Sharrock’s good horse , but he likes Trentham and he had no luck at Riccarton,” Pitman said.

The third member of the travelling party is Sir Singo (More Than Ready), a last-start third, who runs in the Tui – Backing a Winner Since 1889 Premier.

“He was another one who had no luck at Riccarton and he got home really well on the last day,” Pitman said.

Stablemate Coup Rotorua (NZ) (Chianti) enjoyed better fortune to strike twice at the cup meeting and he looks a strong chance to continue his winning habit in the Moneta Financial Group Handicap at Riccarton on Friday.

Coup Darci Be (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and the injury-troubled Milo (NZ) (Coats Choice) will represent the father and son combination in the Perfect Packaging Open with the former likely to be the better chance.

“He might be looking for a bit more ground, but it’s still a winnable race for him,” Pitman said.

“Milo had a long time off and he might need another run or two to get his confidence back.” – NZ Racing Desk.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

No Corner last week; this week the Annual Thoroughbred Racing Awards night certainly deserves acknowledgment. It is the second of two nights of measurement of Thoroughbred achievements for the year, with the first focussing on our Breeders’ awards.

9 September 2026

Savabeel’s Group 1 daughter Belle Cheval retired

Belle Cheval, by champion sire Savabeel, enjoyed a stellar career: placing in the NZ 1000 Guineas, winning the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus Stakes, finishing second in The Kiwi, then claiming Group 1 glory in Australia’s Vinery Stud Stakes before retiring to broodmare duties.