Michael Pitman may be laid up in hospital, but it hasn’t stopped him making plans for his stable star Savvy Coup.

The Riccarton trainer fulfilled a dream when he got to Moonee Valley to watch Savvy Coup contest the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) on November 27, even though the Group One winner tailed home the seven finishers behind champion Winx.

He was planning to be in Melbourne again for Savvy Coup’s Australian finale in the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, but was instead back in Christchurch Hospital after complications arose from his bowel operation last month.

Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew, watched the televised coverage of the Matriarch Stakes, in which Savvy Coup settled back and beat only two home.

“She didn’t fire at all,” he said. “She pulled up good and she’s coming home on Thursday. 

“She will have 10 days to a fortnight out spelling then we’ll get her back and set her for the Thorndon Mile at Trentham. She can then go to Auckland for some of those good races later on.”