Dual Group One winner Savvy Coup will remain in Australia after failing to fire in a two-start campaign in Melbourne and will join the Sydney stable of Chris Waller.
Prepared by Michael and Matthew Pitman to win last season's Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in October, Savvy Coup was well-held in both the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).
The daughter of Savabeel has gone for a freshen-up and will be aimed at targets in the autumn.
"I can understand what they're doing," Michael Pitman said of the decision by stalwart owners Ray Coupland and Jim Bruford.
"I've told them I'm disappointed but it's very hard to place a mare like her in New Zealand."
Pitman was also relieved to be out of hospital after his recent bowel cancer operation and said he hoped to make an appearance at Riccarton on New Zealand Cup Day this Saturday.
