Riccarton conditioner Michael Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew, was over the moon with Savvy Coup’s fifth-placing in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) behind Melody Belle at Hastings on Saturday and he is eyeing a crack at the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) next month with his mare if everything goes to plan.

“I was absolutely rapt with the horse’s run,” Pitman said. “There is no way anyone would think that a horse that has come off two 2400m races would have run fifth in a weight-for-age 1400m event with no trials under her belt.”

Pitman travelled back to Christchurch with Savvy Coup on Sunday and will return to Hastings for the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) later this month and will then remain in the North Island with the Group One winner until the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

“We’re going back up for the mile and then we will either stay in Hawke’s Bay or possibly Trentham, because we have had good success using Trentham as a base before when we have gone up north,” Pitman said.

“We just have to think about what we are going to do, but we’re definitely staying up there between runs. I really think the 2040m race is her race and I’ve said that all the way through, and if she wins that we’re going to the Cox Plate.”