Smiles all around at Awapuni after Summer Cup victory for Savaria

There was plenty of Christmas cheer in the air at Awapuni on Saturday with one of the biggest smiles sported by local trainer Royden Bergerson as his top mare Savaria returned to form with a convincing victory in the Manawatu Standard Summer Cup (1600).

Last season’s Gr. 1 New Zealand Oaks winner was having just her second run back after being put aside following a disappointing effort in her sole start during the spring. Bergerson was patient with his star mare and is now hoping to reap the benefits of that policy as she progresses during this campaign.

“That was a very pleasing result on Saturday but also a relief to see her back to winning form,” he remarked.

“She had a few problems in the spring so we put her away again and brought her up slowly for this campaign. Her first run back at Trentham was very good and Opie (Bosson) got off and said she felt fantastic so it gave me a lot of confidence heading into this one.”

Bergerson was quick to pay tribute to rider Rosie Myers who made sure she didn’t let the leaders get away on her approaching the home turn in a slowly run race.

“Rosie did a good job as they pretty much walked early in the race and it was mainly a sprint home,” he said.

“She had her close enough on the corner to get a decent shot at them and the mare’s class showed over that last little bit as she pulled away nicely.”

Bergerson will now turn his attention to the Wellington Cup carnival in January with the Gr. 1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile the mare’s next target.

“Provided she pulls up okay over the next few days we will head to Trentham for the Thorndon,” he said.

“After that it she will go to the Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa which is her main mission for this campaign.

“We will reassess after that as I’m still toying with heading to Australia with her. She ran 6th behind Gust Of Wind and Winx on an unsuitable wet track in Sydney last season which looks pretty good form now.

“James McDonald got off her that day and said she was definitely up to the company so it would be nice to go back there and show them she is.” – NZ Racing Desk