Turn the page on Savoy’s misdemeanour
Garrick Knight - Raceform • June 12th, 2025 4:00 PM • 3 min read
A one-off aberration.
That’s how punters should view last week’s costly misbehaviour of Princess Of Savoy, according to her co-trainer, Gareth Hughes.
The lightly raced filly is the early favourite for Friday night’s feature race at Alexandra Park, the $34,000 Woodlands Stud Silk Road Fillies and Mares Final.
But in last week’s final heat, she disgraced herself as a well-backed hot favourite, galloping in the score-up and taking no competitive part in the race.
“It was pretty uncharacteristic for her,” Hughes told RaceForm. “At home she can sometimes take off in a canter in the hopples, but she usually switches to a pace pretty quickly.
“It might well have been the bad weather that played a part in it. So it was unusual, but we are putting it down to a one-off and turning the page.
“We’ve made a couple of changes – nothing significant – but enough to ensure she doesn’t so it again.”
Hughes says the daughter of Captain Crunch has been a model student this week.
“She’s trained on well and hasn’t put a foot wrong; her work on Monday morning was great.”
Hughes says punters can ‘go again’ on her this week with some confidence.
“If she does everything right, she should give it a good shake. She’s got a fair bit of ability and a bright future ahead.”
She won’t get it all her own way this week in the hands of new driver Tony Cameron, especially from a wide draw (gate six). But Hughes is quick to point out it’s the same draw she had two starts ago when flying home for third over a shorter distance.
“She probably shouldn’t have got as close as she did and I think that extra distance will only aid her chances this week.
“I’m sure Tony will do the form and make up his own mind, but the good thing is she isn’t a one-trick pony and if he has to put her in the race, she’ll cope with that just fine.”
