Savvy Victory

Savvy Victory was unlucky not to finish closer than he did in the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton on Saturday. Settled at the back of the seven-runner field early on by Richard Kingscote, and along the inside, he travelled well through his race, and he was still travelling well in behind as they rounded the home turn. He was short of room as they straightened up for home as Phantom Flight moved a little to his left. Switched back inside by his rider, Savvy Victory started to stay on against the inside rail, but he ran out of room as Secret State weakened in front of him. Richard Kingscote had no option but to take a pull, and that was winning chance gone, but Savvy Victory still ran on once he got a gap again.  He left the impression that he finished with at least a little left to give.

This was an encouraging return to action by Sean Woods’ horse. He was a high-class handicapper last season, he won a good 10-furlong handicap at Goodwood in August, and he finished fifth in the Cambridgeshire. He could only finish a well-beaten third in a listed race at Newmarket in October, but he proved here that he could be at least up to listed class this season as a four-year-old. He stays 10 furlongs well, he handles a little bit of cut in the ground, and he goes well on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket.
Kempton, 1^st April 2023