46 Thursday <strong>September</strong> <strong>27</strong> <strong>2018</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong>
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday <strong>September</strong> <strong>27</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 47 Sport CAN RICCARTON glamour mare Savvy Coup beat Australian record-breaker Winx? THe answer from trainer Michael Pitman is a resounding no. However, he says even running second to Winx would be a dream. At the weekend Savvy Coup closed late to finish runner-up to Melody Belle in the 1600m Group One Windsor Park Plate at Hastings. <strong>The</strong> run has left the mare looking in prime shape ahead of the 2040m Livamol Classic on October 6. “She went as good as she possibly could have gone really – there’s no disgrace running second to probably the best sprinting miler in the country,” said Pitman. MATCH UP: Australian wonder horse Winx (left) could face Savvy Coup, pictured with trainer Michael Pitman, in one of Australasia’s richest races. If Savvy Coup can win the Livamol then Pitman plans to send her to Melbourne to run in the Cox Plate on October <strong>27</strong>. She is currently at long odds ($101), in Australia compared to favourite Winx at $1.30. However, any kind of strong result would be worth the trip. Under a new prize money structure totalling AUS$5 million, the winner of the Cox Plate will receive $3 million. Prize money will now extend down to 10th place. <strong>The</strong> Cox Plate could also One-eyed Cantab Gordon Findlater gordon.findlater@starmedia.kiwi prove a launching pad for races in November Pitman has highlighted on the calendar. “If we do go (to Melbourne) she would need to have a 2000m race and the ideal day would be Cox Plate day because it’s Local News Now Aussie champ in Savvy Coup’s sights Cox Plate looms if good form continues • By Gordon Findlater THE AFL is a prime example of why New Zealand rugby should do their own thing. I was lucky enough to be in Melbourne at the weekend. Before heading over, I was well aware of the Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks preliminary final, and was licking my lips over the prospect of finding a local watering hole to watch the match. However, it quickly became evident the AFL ruled the roost. <strong>The</strong>re were 95,000 people jammed packed into MCG for Friday night’s preliminary final between Richmond and Collingwood that was being played at the same time as the Storm match which attracted <strong>27</strong>,000 to AAMI Stadium. It’s worth noting these numbers aren’t one-offs due to it being finals time. Richmond’s average home attendance through the 18 team, 23 round competition was more than 61,000. In fact only three teams (Brisbane, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney) had average home crowds of under 20,000. We are home to undoubtedly the most successful franchise in Super Rugby history, so why are we struggling to get much more than 10,000 people along to some matches? It’s because we’ve lost the family feel and openness as fans with our team. <strong>The</strong> thing that stood out the most watching Friday night’s AFL match was what happened after the match. Rather than just a couple of words from the winning captain and coach, the broadcast stayed with the players well after the final whistle. <strong>The</strong> scenes were like that of a club rugby game – it was about the people. <strong>The</strong> broadcasters roaming reporter #RoamingBrian (yes, he has a hashtag) spent 15min in the team’s post-match area where they were joined by loyal supporters and their families to help celebrate the victory in a relaxed environment. <strong>The</strong> other thing that struck me and once again confirmed the true club level feel to the sport FAST FACTS: Fire rages, homes at risk Savvy Coup (four-yearold mare) Trainers: Michael and Matthew Pitman Record: 15 starts, five wins (one Group One) Prize money: NZ$517,000 Winx (seven-year-old mare) Trainer: Chris Waller Record: 37 starts, 31 wins (20 Group One) Prize money: NZ$21 million three weeks after Hastings,” said Pitman. He sees Savvy Coup as being a realistic chance on November 10 at Flemington in either the AUS$2 million Emirates Stakes or the AUS$300,000 group two Matriarch Stakes – both run over 2000m. “I’m not thinking for one minute we can beat Winx but if we go for the Matriarch it’s the perfect lead-in race or we can up the ante and go for the Emirates. <strong>The</strong>re’s a massive difference, but it all depends on how she goes,” said Pitman. Rugby has lessons to learn from AFL’s club feel was driving past Richmond’s training ground. Any Joe Blogs walking by could stop and watch the team train in the open field next to a main road. Have you ever gazed in as the Crusaders train at Rugby Park? No, because the place is surrounded in 2m fencing like some kind of attempt to hide a prison yard. Let’s make rugby about our people again. Stuff the rule we need to play matches at 7.35pm so it’s friendly for international viewership, bring the game to the people and the people will come to the game. 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Shout prices run from Monday 24th <strong>September</strong> until Sunday 7th October <strong>2018</strong> or while stocks last.