Tough staying filly Luvaluva will now head to the VRC Oaks as one of the top fancies after producing a perfect trial with a last to first win in the Group 2 $300,000 G.H.Mumm Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington today.

Luvaluva, above in blue and green colours, will now head to the VRC Oaks after wining the Wakeful Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.

Winning jockey Blake Shinn continued on with his outstanding Spring Carnival form and followed up his four winners from Cox Plate Day at The Valley last week with a superb well timed ride on Luvaluva.

Shinn wasn’t concern to have Luvaluva near the tail of the field and was actually last on the home turn before sneaking up along the fence to gain a split at the 250m mark.

Once into the clear Luvluva ($5) stretched out nicely to find the line and grab a narrow win over Glam Guru ($20) with Rimraam ($8) running a bold race for third.

The $4.80 favourite Bring Me Roses settled just worse than midfield but found nothing in the straight to wind up in twelfth position.

“I won the Wakeful for Sarg three years ago and let’s hope we can take out our first Oaks together on Thursday with this filly,” Shinn said.

“She jumped okay so I elected to ride her cold. She has a good sprint and thankfully she took all of the gaps when I needed her to and she hit the line beautifully.”

“You could not have asked for a better Oaks Trial and I am delighted to be riding her.”

Trainer John Sargent said that he had earmarked the Group 1 $1m VRC Oaks at Flemington on Thursday a long time ago and has no concerns that Luvaluva will run out a strong 2500m.

“She is a lovely filly and the best of her to come when she gets over a mile and a half,” Sargent said.

“We’ve got the win and let’s hope all goes well until Thursday.”

“The 2500m will be ideal, out of a Galileo mare.”