The powerhouse combination of Graeme and Debbie Rogerson was firing on all cylinders at Riccarton yesterday.
But it is a product of their former star, Savabeel, which will provide Canterbury trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman with a live New Zealand Cup hope this week.
The Rogersons won three races on the card - the 1400m maiden with Torba, the rating 85 1600m with Sanasar and the rating 75 1400m with Maritimo.
Johnathan Parkes rode all three Rogerson winners and also won with Diamantine to nab four winners for the day. The focus was squarely on the Pitmans though, after Southern Sav won the listed Metropolitan in impressive style after a daring dash to the lead by jockey Darryl Bradley.
''All I said to Darryl was he was absolutely cherry ripe,'' Michael Pitman said.
''I've been waiting two years for this horse to get to this level. What people might not realise is when he won here last year he went a faster last 600m than what Soubrettes did to win the Stewards.''
Pitman explained how Graeme Rogerson suggested the Riccarton trainer should take on the horse with the tempting phrase: ''you never know''.
''After I had him and had given him a few gallops, I said to Rogey `one day I will get him to a NZ Cup' and that was three years ago,'' Pitman said.
''I've been here a long time and through my rose coloured glasses, I think that's a good cup trial.''
Southern Sav is now a $6 equal second favourite for Saturday's group 3 staying test.
Two time New Zealand Cup winner Blood Brotha was good in second, with Jimmy Mac tidy in third.
Diamantine is also New Zealand Cup bound after a rating 85 2000m win for trainer John Wheeler and wife Linda.
''She got pocketed at the top of the straight which was my only concern but when she got out, she was just too good for them,'' Wheeler said.
''She comes in well at the weights and everything.''
