Straight and true to Group 1 glory

Skew Wiff produced a career high performance to account for a stellar line-up in this afternoon’s G1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings.

The Waikato Stud-bred and owned daughter of Savabeel was twice placed at the elite level last season and showed she had come back in fine fettle with her resuming second in last month’s G2 Foxbridge Plate.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared Skew Wiff was given a faultless ride in the opening leg of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown by Opie Bosson and the mare played her part in outstanding style.

They lobbed along in fifth spot and one off the fence before lodging their claim 200 metres from home.

“We got into a beautiful spot and it was just a matter of waiting and not going too soon,” Bosson said.

When asked to lengthen stride, Skew Wiff duly obliged and strode to the front and stayed on strongly to down a field including eight Group 1 winners.

“She was in the zone today with her mind on the job, she can be a bit wayward at times,” Bosson said.

“I could hear them coming, but to her credit so did she and she pinned her ears back and kept fighting. She’s been a work in progress and I just love her.”

Skew Wiff also provided her young co-trainer Bergerson with his first winner at the highest level.

“It’s just fantastic and I’m lucky enough to train for Te Akau and be supported by Waikato Stud. People would kill to be in my position and I’m just so grateful and thankful to be here,” he said.

She is the 32nd individual Group One winner for eight-time New Zealand Champion Stallion Savabeel, who his currently serving his 19th season at the Matamata nursey.

Skew Wiff is the first foal of the Starcraft mare Starvoia, who won on six occasions including the Listed Mosgiel S. and has an unraced Savabeel three-year-old colt, a Super Seth yearling filly and is due to foal this term to Noverre.