‘I haven’t won a Group 1’: Widdup bewildered as Savvy Hallie’s benchmark ruling clouds Coolmore Classic bid

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has been left bewildered by the Racing NSW benchmark given Surround Stakes runner-up Savvy Hallie, which virtually counts her out of next week’s Coolmore Classic.

Savvy Hallie was lifted to 108 indicative benchmark, which is effectively a kilogram higher than last year’s Surround Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah and 2kg better than Tropical Squall, the 2024 Surround winner.

Both Lady Shenandoah and Tropical Squall became two-time Group 1 winners in the Surround.

Tempted, who won her first Group 1 in the Surround Stakes, is now rated 110.

“I haven’t won a Group 1 yet,” Widdup said. “She has gone up six points, but you talk to Ben Dunn and he says it is only indicative.”

“It means she is weighted out of the Coolmore Classic. We will enter her and see what weight she gets.”

Adding to Widdup’s fury would be that Lady Shenandoah was dropped two points to a 106 benchmark after winning the Surround last year.

She went on to win the Coolmore Classic.

While Tropical Squall ran off a 104 mark when she was beaten a half-length into fourth by Zougotcha in the 2024 Coolmore Classic.

All Widdup wants is a fair chance to win a Group 1 handicap, which is the only race left for Savvy Hallie during the Sydney carnival.

Racing NSW chief handicapper Damien Hay said the indicative mark means it could move for the Coolmore Classic.

“Because it is indicative, we can drop her back when we see the final nominations for the Coolmore Classic if she looks too high compared to other fillies in previous years,” Hay said.

However, it’s likely to chase the filly from Sydney with the two-time Group 2 winner looking at Group 1 races in Adelaide and Brisbane, including the Robert Sangster Stakes, the Stradbroke and Tatts Tiara.

The harsh benchmark for Savvy Hallie comes a week after Racing NSW Handicappers dropped Gringotts from a ridiculous mark of 121 to 118 when they were handicapping the Doncaster.

Interestingly, Autumn Glow only went up one point to a 119 benchmark for her Verry Elleegant Stakes win with runner-up Aeliana given two points to take her to 115 mark.