Pitman enjoying build-up to Australian Oaks challenge
Australian Oaks candidate Savvy Coup isn’t the only one thriving in the Sydney heat in the build-up to her Group 1 challenge on the second day of the Championships at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
Co-trainer Michael Pitman is also enjoying his time in the white-hot racing environment as he puts the finishing touches on what he believes could be a career defining moment for his stable star.
“We went out to Randwick on Saturday and it was just fantastic,” he said.
“It’s the best racing in the world and the atmosphere was just electric. We are really looking forward to being a big part of the day this weekend and win, lose or draw we are going to enjoy the occasion.”
Pitman is delighted with how Savvy Coup has settled into her new surroundings after arriving from New Zealand earlier in the week. “She seems to be thriving and coping well with the heat here which is a great sign,” he said.
“She had a nice gallop on Saturday and will have her final fast work on Tuesday. She was very relaxed about it all on Saturday and we’re hoping she can acquit herself well in what will be her biggest test.”
While Pitman was enjoying the Randwick surroundings he was a keen observer on the performance of his Riccarton team where new stable addition, Morse Code, was a clear-cut winner over 1000m at her new home base on Saturday.
“That was a hell of a good win as they were no mugs she was beating,” he said.
“I was delighted for her owner Tom Parry as he had run into a few issues with her barrier manners and transferred her to us to see if we could sort them out.
“She seems to have really clicked with our stable routines and has been thriving. We weren’t that sure what to expect on Saturday, but she put them away pretty easily with more to come.
“She looks an ideal type for the big sprint races during the New Zealand Cup Carnival so we might just put her aside now and wait for November.
“I will have a talk to Tom about what the plan should be, but that’s the way I’m leaning at this stage.”