Two in a row for Savarna at Cambridge

By Jordyn Bublitz 

Savarna continued her winning ways as longshots took out the opening three races at Cambridge Raceway last night.

Paying $23, the five-year-old mare produced a powerful performance to take out Race 3, the Equine Specialists – Here For The Horse Mobile Pace following the winning efforts of Loveabull ($26) in Race 1, and Makaku ($41) in Race 2. 

Trained by Penny Fensom and driven by her husband Rhys, the daughter of Art Major made it two wins on the bounce. 

Drawn wide on the mobile, she was restrained early and settled at the rear of the field. With 600 metres to run, Rhys set her alight around the field and she stormed home down the outside to win by a length. It was a performance that reflected both her current form and the confidence her connections had in her leading into the race.

“There were a few horses in there that we thought would be hard to beat,” said Penny, “but with the way she went last start and the way she’s been working, we knew with a bit of luck she’d go good.”

Savarna has now won four from 35 overall, with her recent form suggesting she’s only getting better. Fensom has worked with the mare since she was a weanling, making her recent success all the more rewarding.

“It felt great to go back-to-back with her,” Penny said, “it’s hard to do anywhere.”

The team now looks to make hay while the sun shines and will aim the mare towards the Winter Rewards Final at Cambridge in two weeks' time.

“Obviously it’s going to be quite a big step up for her, but she’s racing well at the moment,” Penny said, “so long as she’s still feeling good in a couple weeks, we’ll have a go at that.”

Fensom currently trains a team of four horses in conjunction with Robert Dunn’s operation at Pukekohe. Alongside her work with the horses, she also juggles life as a mum to two young children.  

“It can be long hours, but we really enjoy it,” she said, “I’m really lucky to be able to do it all alongside Rhys.”

Her involvement in harness racing was inspired by her father David Eden who trained a small team from 1995-2005. While she previously took on race day driving, she stepped back from the sulky after having children, choosing instead to focus on training and allowing Rhys to take the reins on race day.