Armidale Stud celebrated Savoire Vivre’s first Tasmanian title with a mainland treble on Wednesday.
Savoire Vivre (GB) sired 42 winners of 82 races in 2011-12 for earnings of $1.35 million. He defeated Grenville Stud resident West Quest who had dominated Tasmanian premierships for the last six seasons.
Savoire Vivre (Sadler’s Wells) kicked off the current season with a winning double at Morphettville courtesy of the Ken Sweeney trained geldings Savvy Smokin’ and Rescued.
Savvy Smokin’ (ex Still Smokin’ by Aliocha) was a $14,000 buy from Camoquhill Stud at the 2007 Tasmanian Magic Millions. His dam is a half-sister to Listed TRC 1000 Guineas winner Quit Smokin’ (Never Quit).
Rescued (ex Priya by Covetous) was bred by Sweeney and is an older half-brother to Riziz (Zariz) who was a Listed winner of the VRC Creswick Stakes and Adelaide Guineas in May – June.
Earlier on the opening day of the season, Armidale graduate Queenstown broke her maiden on debut at Hawkesbury. The Gai Waterhouse trained filly races for a Star Thoroughbreds syndicate that includes renowned equine artist Alistair Simpson.
Queenstown (3f Stratum – Regal Heights by Zabeel) led and kept kicking in the straight to defeat her stablemate All Enfield by two lengths. The runner-up is a sister to Group 1 miler All American.
Star Thoroughbreds owner Denise Martin said the filly had won a recent trial at Randwick but her raceday effort was even more impressive. “We are absolutely thrilled with the filly,” Martin said. “Gai believes she has a very bright future.”
Armidale owner Robyn Whishaw sold Queenstown for $60,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. She had purchased her dam Regal Heights (NZ) carrying the Hawkesbury winner for $30,000 at the 2009 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.