Savvy Hallie sparked a minor sensation in the 2026 Light Fingers Stakes by kicking away from $1.50 pick Apocalyptic and grabbing the Sydney carnival’s first three-year-old fillies prize.
Building on her spring Princess Series dominance, Apocalyptic was a short-priced favourite with Savvy Hallie pegged as the $3.70 main opponent.
Trained by Brad Widdup, the market’s number two delivered in style, seizing control early in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) and beating Apocalyptic by three-quarters of a length despite pressure.
Tommy Berry aboard Apocalyptic remarked on the challenge created by Savvy Hallie’s unchallenged front run.
“It was always going to make it hard from the home turn onwards,” Berry said.
“The leader got a picnic there in front. That was always a possibility.
“I like the way she hit the line late. She will be better suited at the 1400 metres.”
All smiles for Widdup, who hailed Nash Rawiller’s proactive ride that kept foes at bay.
“Good, positive ride. That’s why we put these guys (top jockeys) on,” Widdup said.
“I haven’t used Nash a lot for no other reason than we can’t get him, so it was nice to get him.”
Plans are set for Savvy Hallie’s initial 1400m raid in the Group 1 Surround Stakes, pitting her against Apocalyptic and Tempted, who toppled colts and geldings first-up in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).
Rawiller admitted leading was unplanned but he took charge upfront, trusting Savvy Hallie to fire early in the run home and make opponents labour.
“I had enough confidence in her not to wait for them,” Rawiller said.
“I thought, gee I’ve had all the favours here, I can afford to go before topping the rise and make them chase me down.
“A few of them may have looked like they were coming at some stage of the race but she was always going to be able to find something over the last hundred.”
The racing betting markets for the Light Fingers Stakes offered plenty of value for sharp punters.
The post Savvy Rawiller pinches Light Fingers Stakes on Hallie first appeared on Just Horse Racing.