Luvaluva may steal the limelight
MUCH is being said about the New Zealandtrained quartet of Savvy Coup (trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman), Contessa Vanessa (Team Rogerson), Danzdanzdance (Chris Gibbs) and She’s A Treasure (Tony Pike) in the $1 million Australian Oaks at Randwick.
But the big prize could go to a different Kiwi connection. Luvaluva is by a New Zealandbased stallion, Mastercraftsman, and trained by Sydneybased New Zealander John Sargent.
Last Saturday, in the aftermath of such exciting racing as Happy Clapper winning the Doncaster, Luvaluva’s achievement in winning the Adrian Knox Stakes went largely unheralded. Her Oaks leadup race was meant to have been the week previous, but a dodgy blood count meant Sargent had to pull her out. Given that her ability to shoulder 60kg when the rest of the field had just 53kg was stunning. It was a weightcarrying record for the race.
Even more remarkable, one of the best in the business, Kerrin McEvoy, took off around the field four wide from the 500m. Even though it was McEvoy, at that moment you had to say: ‘‘Really?’’
It might have looked ugly, but McEvoy knew what he was doing and after a homestraight dogfight as tough as you would ever see, Luvaluva got the dollars by a head.
‘‘I said to Kerrin later: ‘You took off a bit soon, didn’t you?’’ Sargent said.
‘‘He said he was worried about the weight and felt he had to get her into the race.’’
Such a desperately tough race would have flattened most fillies that had not raced for three weeks, but Sargent said Luvaluva had come through it brilliantly — toughness that will stand by her tomorrow.
‘‘She’s been to the beach and loved it and this morning she did a nice piece of threequarter work. She’s really thriving. I’m delighted we’ve got Kerrin. He’s had two rides on her now for two wins. He’s the best staying rider in the business.’’
Sargent rates Unforgiven ($4) and Hiyaam ($4.60) as the pair to beat. Luvaluva is the third favourite at $5.50 ahead of Aloisia on $6.50 and Savvy Coup at $7. Danzdanzdance is rated at $16, Contessa Vanessa $17 and She’s A Treasure $31.
Rukaka trainer Chris Gibbs has horses in action on both sides of the Tasman. He has Richie McHorse and Comin’ Through in the $75,000 Hawkes Bay Cup and Danzdanzdance in the Australian Oaks.
‘‘[Jockey] Michael Walker was confident she would improve with her run in the Vinery Stakes and that’s to be understood in her first run since the Derby at Ellerslie.
Luvaluva will jump from the No 13 gate.
‘‘She’ll be going back this time and looking for luck late in the race,’’ Sargent said.
The sheer excitement of Winx is jammed between the Oaks and the Sydney Cup, in which Sir Charles Road, trained at Matamata by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, will attempt to back up on his fine Chairman’s victory from last Saturday. He drops to a luxury 50kg, but the opposition is tougher. — NZME
I’m delighted we’ve got Kerrin. He’s had two rides on her [Luvaluva] now for two wins. He’s the best staying rider in
the business John Sargent, trainer of Australian Oaks hopeful
Luvaluva