Sydney based Kiwi trainer John Sargent is hoping his filly Luvaluva can outstay the odds on pop Aloisia in today’s renamed Group 1 $1m Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
Luvaluva, above in blue, white and green colours, will handle the 2500m of the VRC Oaks at Fleminngton. Photo by Steve Hart.
Sargent regards Luvaluva as a genuine staying type filly and is hoping that attribute will be her best chance of beating the very impressive Aloisia.
“The favourite looks a very good filly, there is no hiding that,” Sargent told racing.com.
“And when you look at how dominant she was at Moonee Valley it is easy to think that she will be very hard to beat in the Oaks.
“But getting out to 2500m can sometimes bring them undone and I think my filly will relish it.
“Luvaluva is a genuine stayer and we want it to be a tough test, that might be our chance.
“Hopefully there is a bit of speed in the race and it turns in to a test of stamina.”
The Aaron Purcell trained Aloisia has been installed as the Kennedy Oaks $1.55 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au on the back of some outstanding displays that saw her win the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 14 against the fillies and then easily beat the colts and geldings in the Group 2 $200,000 Drummond Gold Vase (2040m) at The Valley on October 28.
Luvaluva is on the third line of betting at $8.50 and put herself into Kennedy Oaks contention with an impressive last to first win in the Group 2 $300,000 G.H.Mumm Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.
“We’ve always planned to have her peaking for these two runs and I’m delighted with the way she has bounced out of the run last Saturday,” Sargent said.
“I haven’t done a lot with her, she has been to the beach, she was fit from her work in Sydney and it is just about keeping her happy now.”
Luvaluva will jump from barrier ten in the twelve horse Kennedy Oaks field and Sargent expects Blake Shinn will let her settle well off the pace as he did before she stormed home to win the Wakeful Stakes.
“Tactically, I will just leave it up to Blake, I’d imagine he will let the speed go underneath him and let her find her feet like she did last Saturday,” Sargent said.
“But in saying that, I thought the same with Kirramosa a couple of years ago and she ended up third in the run so it will just all depend on the pace of the race and how Blake judges it.”
Luke Nolen rides Aloisia from barrier nine while Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will saddle up the $6 second favourite Pinot who will jump gate six with Stephen Baster in the saddle again.
