Another example of Tasmanian-bred horses achieving outstanding results in Tasmanian feature races, was the recent $120,000 Devonport Cup, held on 6 January 2010. This year, it was the Savoire Vivre mare, With Decorum, that claimed the Cup in emphatic style.
The Devonport Cup was the fourth race of the season conducted for a stake of $50,000 or more, with both the recent $60,000 3yo Cup and the $80,000 Newmarket Handicap also won by locally bred gallopers, Obstinado and Life to the Full respectively.
This year’s Devonport Cup trifecta was dominated by Tasmanian bred horses. The winner, With Decorum (Savoire Vivre – Royal Egypt) was passed in for $15,000 at the 2005 Armidale Sale. With Decorum hails from one of Tasmania’s most consistent winning families, and is yet another feature race triumph for Savoire Vivre, who stands at Armidale Stud in Carrick for a fee of just $4,400.
The Cup runner-up Speedy Sky (Tough Speed - Sky Boat), who is already a multiple listed place getter as a 3yo, was passed in for $14,000 from the 2007 Alva Stud draft. Speedy Sky is an outstanding chance to add to the growing band of feature race performers sired by Tough Speed. Tough Speed stands at Armidale Stud for $2,750. Based on this mare’s effort in the Cup, more feature race success is sure to follow.
The third place getter in the Devonport Cup, Beven Heights (Grand Royale – The Halls), was bred by Grenville Stud. Beven Heights was purchased by George Blacker on behalf of Henry Kundsen at the 2005 Tasmanian sale for just $8,500. George has always had a keen eye for a bargain, with Beven Height’s third place taking his career earning close to the $100,000 mark.
In recent years, locally bred gallopers have dominated the Devonport Cup, with 6 of the last 8 Cup winners bred in Tasmania. The list includes Chardere (twice), Bay Ritz, Dream Quest, Lunardi and Zarina Boy.
