A masterly training performance and an outstanding ride landed a betting coup for Savaria's connections when she reigned supreme in yesterday's group one Wellfield New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.
Awapuni horseman Roydon Bergerson had the filly at the top of her game and regular jockey Hayden Tinsley gave a classicperformance in the saddle to land the classic for Taranaki owners Des and Kay Fleming.
"Des has slaughtered the bookmakers and got more than the winning stake off the TAB," a jubilant and relieved Bergerson said.
"He told me last Monday so there was no pressure!"
The Flemings have been breeding thoroughbreds for more than three decades, but changed tack when they went to Karaka in 2013 and secured Savaria for $110,000.
"She's a damn good filly and from day one I said to Des that she was something special," Bergerson said.
"She's proved that today " she's one out of the box."
A maiden winner at Hastings on New Year's Day, Savaria's shared victory with Platinum Witness in the group three Lowland Stakes earned her Oaks favouritism.
"She's improved all the way through and it was a great ride today and that was the winning of the race," Bergerson said. "I said to Hayden the rail is the shortest way home and to sit and wait."
Tinsley settled Savaria midfield on the fence from the inside gate and had to be patient when hemmed in at the top of the straight.
A gap presented itself 200 metres from home between a weakening Gin Swing and Charmont and they powered through to Group One glory.
"I picked her as my Oaks ride after her maiden win," Tinsley said. "She's a beautiful filly, she's easy to ride and just goes to sleep."
Charmont boxed on strongly to finish runner-up and Platinum Witness' brave effort for third was enough to secure her the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title.
