Savoureux capped off a massive day for trainer Kris Lees with a fast-finishing victory in the 2016 Wenona Girl Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Savoureux flew home late to win the 2016 Wenona Girl Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Lees claimed his first Group 1 victory for over a year when Le Romain upstaged Press Statement in the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Savoureux gave him a feature race double when she swooped late to take out the Frances Tressady Stakes.
The Newcastle-based trainer was quick to pay credit to his entire team and he said it was great to see the stables hard work rewarded with a couple of big race wins.
“I am very thrilled,” Lees said.
“We have a great team at home that put a lot of work into both these horses and I am very pleased for everyone involved.
“It was a similar type of run – she was three deep and stalking the leaders.
“She put the writing on the wall the other day with a very good run and Tommy probably errored a little and got too far out of the ground.
“He rode her very good today, he was ready to pounce when the run came and she was very strong late.”
Berry rode Savoureux for the first time when she finished third behind Sultry Feeling and Peeping in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 13 and he was critical of his own ride on the daughter of Nadeem.
The talented hoop said that he wanted to ride Savoureux more positively in the Wenona Girl Handicap and he was impressed with the turn-of-foot she showed when asked for an extra effort.
“I was probably a little big negative on her last start when we wanted to ride her a touch more quiet and I rode her today how I should have ridden her last start,” Berry said.
“We have a nice bit of cover coming into the corner and Artistry took me everywhere I wanted to.
“She has a good turn-of-foot, but it only goes for about 200 metres.
“Thanks to Kris and the owners for putting me back on and he had her cherry ripe for the day.”
Private Secretary continued her run of eye-catching performances without winning to finish second, while the well-backed Flashing Speed was swamped late but hung on to finish third.
