Racing
Savvy Hallie on a path to the Gold Coast
A rich slot race will lure Brad Widdup north with smart three-year-old Savvy Hallie.
The $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight is the immediate goal for Group 2 winner Savvy Hallie ahead of a Sydney autumn carnival campaign.
Trainer Brad Widdup confirmed the filly had been selected for a slot in the January 10 race at the Gold Coast and was well advanced in her preparations, having been given a quiet barrier trial at Warwick Farm earlier this month.
She will have another public hit-out before heading to Queensland to tackle the Sunlight (1100m) fresh.
"She's aiming at the Sunlight. She's got B2B's slot there," Widdup said.
"She will have another trial and go in first-up. She is a top-class filly and it's a $3 million race, so why not?"
A talented juvenile who placed in two Group races at two, Savvy Hallie returned to break her maiden at Newcastle in August before taking out the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and finishing third behind star filly Apocalyptic in the Furious Stakes (1200m).
Connections then pulled up stumps on her spring preparation with the Queensland feature in mind.
"It has been on the radar for a while," Widdup said.
"That's why they stopped with her instead of pushing through the spring.
"She looks great and if she has improved that little bit, she will be pretty exciting."
Savvy Hallie is set to be one of two Sunlight runners for the stable, along with Nashville Jack, a winner at Randwick in July.
The Sunlight was held for the first time this year and was won by Private Harry, who went on to claim the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at his next appearance.
Lady Of Camelot was the first filly home, finishing runner-up, and also pressed onto the Sydney autumn where she was placed in the Light Fingers (1200m) and Surround Stakes (1400m), and the Coolmore Classic (1500m)
Widdup has his sights on the Light Fingers Stakes for Savvy Hallie with the fillies' feature to be held at Randwick on February 14 next year.
Check out the latest Sydney News