Written by Keely Mckitterick
Cover image courtesy of Racing Victoria
It was a picturesque Good Friday at Yarra Valley, which hosted this year’s $500,000 The Country Discovery. The event attracted a deep field of 15 runners, but the Philip Stokes-trained Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) prevailed in the strongly run 1200-metre feature.
Savannah Cloud came in The Country Discovery from two stakes runs. He was third in the Listed Elms H. at Flemington, beaten by Makram (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
The son of Savabeel returned to the 1400 metres at Flemington in the G3 Shaftesbury Avenue H., again finishing third. This time to Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel).
On Friday, Savannah Cloud was ridden by the in-form Thomas Stockdale and was able to get his head down at the right time to deny General Beau (Brazen Beau) and Pounding (Exceed And Excel).
Winning trainer Phillip Stokes told Racing.com post-race, “Savannah Cloud has been a real favourite. He’s been with me since I came here (Victoria) and set up at Pakenham.
Savannah Cloud with jockey Thomas Stockdale | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“He comes back every preparation and won a stakes race last campaign. We freshened him up perfectly for The Discovery after being placed twice at Flemington in stakes races.
“He gives 100 per cent every time he goes around.”
“He (Savannah Cloud) gives 100 per cent every time he goes around.” - Phillip Stokes
Stokes indicated that the G1 Goodwood H. in Adelaide could be a potential target for the son of Savabeel.
The victory took Savannah Cloud’s record to 10 wins from 33 starts, including a success in the Listed Regal Roller H. He was a NZ$140,000 purchase by Peter Moody from the draft of Hanuni Farm at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Savannah Cloud is the third foal from the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Annie Higgins (NZ), who won two Group 3 races and was placed several times in Group 2s.
Crimson dominates Oaks
Crimson Light (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) dominated the $150,000 Country Oaks held at Yarra Valley on Good Friday. The Michael Kent-trained 5-year-old was given a cosy steer by Craig Williams in the 1950-metre race.
The daughter of Redwood (GB) put a 1.25l margin between herself and Makrana (Pierro) and Whakamana (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}). Crimson Light brings her record to four wins from 13 starts.
Crimson Light was sourced for NZ$50,000 by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the draft of Westbury Stud at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Race Sale. She is from the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Pure Light (NZ), who has produced five winners from her eight foals to race.
Pure Light is a granddaughter of Light Up The World (Rory’s Jester). She won eight races, including the G2 Challenge S. and G3 Queen of the Turf (now a Group 1).
