Savvy Hallie notched a narrow upset in the Light Fingers Stakes, leaving favourite Apocalyptic trailing to win the Sydney carnival’s lead three-year-old fillies contest.

Apocalyptic, dominant in the spring Princess Series, was $1.50 into the race as Savvy Hallie lurked at $3.70 as the key threat.

The Brad Widdup-prepared contender justified support as second pick by crossing the line three-quarters of a length ahead after leading the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) wire-to-wire.

Rider Tommy Berry of Apocalyptic pointed to Savvy Hallie’s easy lead as a complicating factor for his mount.

“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.”

Widdup was thrilled, applauding Nash Rawiller’s decision to attack from the front and stretch the field.

“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.”

Her trainer detailed a rise to 1400m next time in the Group 1 Surround Stakes against rematch foe Apocalyptic and Tempted, fresh winner over colts and geldings in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

Rawiller shared that dictating wasn’t scripted but he pushed forward when gifted the spot, sure of the filly’s stamina to strike first in the straight.

“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.”

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The post Savvy Rawiller pinches Light Fingers Stakes on Hallie first appeared on Just Horse Racing.