Given a positive ride by Kerrin McEvoy from an outside barrier, Godolphin's progressive mare Savatiano eyeballed her biggest danger Shumookh throughout the running of Thursday's Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong and to go on and earn a well-deserved maiden stakes victory.
A heavily backed favourite, the James Cummings-trained mare took a half-length advantage at the 200 metres but Shumookh, who had been an alarming drifter in betting, was up for the fight. Savatiano kept the half-length advantage to the line with Irithea three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
The 4yo daughter of Street Cry (IRE) has been a model of consistency. In winning her third consecutive race and the fourth from her last five starts, Savatiano advances her overall record to 5 wins and 4 seconds from 12 starts with earnings of $333,710.
'It's not an easy task to win over 1350 metres first-up on a rain-affected track," Cummings stable representative Darren Beadman said.
"She had trialled extremely well. She was as forward as James could get her and it's just nice to get some black-type beside her name.
"The pace was not that strong and Kerrin being the horseman and good judge he is kept her in rhythm.
"She's got some form behind Invader so hopefully there are bigger fish to fry over the spring carnival."
Bred by Darley, Savatiano is the first foal of the winning Redoute's Choice mare Retsina who is a daughter of the crack racemare Star Shiraz (Sequalo),
A $15,000 yearling purchase by trainer Rex Lipp, Star Shiraz won six and placed in seven of her 27 starts with earnings of $859,400.
Her highlight came when winning the Group 1 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes and was runner-up in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic and Group 1 QTC TJ Smith Classic.
She was purchased by Darley for $1,125,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale before being sold at Aquis Farm for $200,000 ten years later.
Retsina has an unraced 3yo filly Medaglia D'Oro (USA) named Athens and a 2yo Lonhro filly named Athiri.
Last year her Exosphere colt died after birth and Retsina was covered by Hallowed Crown.
Savatiano becomes the 123rd stakes-winner for Street Cry (IRE) and the third in the first few weeks of the new season after Winx and Osborne Bulls.
