"SAVVY" READY TO CHASE GROUP 1 GLORY

SUNDAY: February 15, 2026: BRAD Widdup is confident his dual Group 2 winner Savvy Hallie is ready to prove herself at both 1400m and achieve Group 1 glory in the process.

Hawkesbury’s leading trainer, understandably thrilled with Savvy Hallie’s defeat of hotpot Apocalyptic in yesterday’s Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at set weights at Royal Randwick yesterday, is ready to give the sometimes unacclaimed filly her chance to rise to the top at racing’s elite level in Saturday week’s $750,00 Surround Stakes (1400m), once more against her own sex at the same track also at set weights.

Nash Rawiller, partnering Savvy Hallie ($3.70) for the first time, had her away smartly and didn’t hesitate to take up the running.

Once he did, the result never really looked in doubt.

Savvy Hallie packed too many punches for $1.50 favorite Apocalyptic to take her record to three wins and four placings from only nine starts, and prizemoney nearing $850,000.

“Savvy Hallie has pulled up fine, and all going well she will run next in the Surround,” Widdup said today.

“She has raced only once at 1400m when runner-up in the Baillieu Handicap as a two-year-old at Randwick last April on a heavy track.

“I have no doubts she can extend from 1200m and prove herself at the distance.

“She has a lovely temperament and relaxed well under Nash yesterday.”

Rawiller, who has not had many rides for Widdup, got the mount when Tommy Berry, who rode her first-up when fourth to favorite Grafterburners in the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) at the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast on January 10, was committed to his Group 1 winner Apocalyptic.

Ironically, it was Berry who boosted the stable’s confidence about Savvy Hallie winning the Light Fingers after riding her in an 800m Hawkesbury jumpout last Wednesday week.

“Tommy came out to ride a couple of two-year-olds that morning, and I put him on Savvy Hallie in the jumpout,” Widdup said.

“He obviously was impressed with how she went as he told the staff afterwards that he was really worried about Apocalyptic, being first-up, beating her in the Light Fingers.”

The Surround is shaping as a ripper three-year-old fillies’ contest.

Savvy Hallie not only will again face the talented Apocalyptic, but also Godolphin’s glamor filly Tempted, who brilliantly won the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick a week ago against the males when resuming.

Tempted dominates early betting on the Surround as a $1.50 favorite with TAB.com.au. Apocalyptic is next at $6, with Savvy Hallie, again somewhat overlooked, sharing the third line with Melbourne filly Ole Dancer at $8.

Widdup pointed out Savvy Hallie, along with capturing two Group 2s in her brief career to date, had also raced very competitively when runner-up as a two-year-old on three occasions to horses such as Tempted, Nepotism and Black Opal winner King Of Pop.

Meanwhile, Widdup has arranged for stablemate Jedibeel to gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, thus gaining experience leading into Saturday’s Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) there.

Melbourne gun Damian Lane, who rode four winners at Flemington yesterday, will ride Jedibeel on Saturday.

“Jedibeel went to Melbourne last Wednesday night, and has settled in well at Flemington,” Widdup said.

TAB.com.au installed the gelding as a $26 chance last Wednesday when the wagering giant became aware he was resuming in the Oakleigh Plate. He has since shortened to $13.

As with Jedibeel, Widdup also plans to send Sunlight Plate runner-up Nashville Jack to Melbourne early ahead of his $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) mission at Flemington on Saturday week.

“Nashville Jack (Tyler Schiller) will trial against his own age over 800m at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, and go to Melbourne the following evening,” he said.

“Damian Lane also has been booked for him.”