Savvy Hallie dictated the tempo in the Light Fingers Stakes up front, yet trainer Brad Widdup prefers to let seasoned jockey Nash Rawiller handle the strategy for her Group One showdown against top filly Tempted in the Surround Stakes at Randwick.

Although the three-year-old appears the clear frontrunner among the choice group of eight, Widdup refuses to rule out a competitor disrupting the pace scenario, confident that both the horse and jockey can adapt accordingly.

“I’ll leave it up to Nash. You never know, someone might want to go a bit hard this time around,” Widdup said.

“We can only worry about ourselves, and we’re very happy with her. She’s had a trouble free preparation, so fingers crossed she can keep going.”

Savvy Hallie secured gate six in the elite lineup of eight, led by Everest placegetter Tempted, Flight Stakes victor Apocalyptic and Thousand Guineas winner Ole Dancer, appearing for the first time in Sydney.

Extra interest comes from expected rainfall, as the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts between 3mm and 60mm over the next few days.

Widdup will accept conditions at either extreme, given Savvy Hallie’s form on good as well as heavy tracks.

Though the trainer lacks a prior Surround Stakes (1400m) success, he worked at Crown Lodge back when Portillo (2009) and Parables (2011) triumphed, believing Savvy Hallie matches their quality.

“Portillo was a good two-year-old and trained on, Parables came later. But I think Savvy Hallie is definitely in their mould,” he said.

“You never get too carried away with this sort of race, but it’s great to have a really good chance.

“She hasn’t gone backwards and you’d like to think she should be competitive.”

Tempted opened as the $1.60 market elect soon after the fields emerged on Wednesday, with Apocalyptic next at $4.20, while Ole Dancer ($8.50) and Savvy Hallie ($9.50) were the sole others under double figures.

Explore the Australian betting sites to find top racing betting markets for the Surround Stakes.