Randwick trainer John Sargent has opted for a softer resuming option on Saturday for his multiple stakes winner Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}). He will step the mare out in the G3 Ryde Toyota Toy Show Quality to kick off a preparation focussed on the Melbourne spring carnival.
He had also nominated the 4-year-old for the G1 Winx S., but subsequently thought better of such an immediate challenge at the top level. “Her coat’s not right through yet and she’s probably a run behind where she was in the autumn first-up,” Sargent said.
“She’ll get in with less weight and Kerrin McEvoy can ride her so that’s why we’re starting her off in the Toy Show. As long as she’s hitting the line well I’ll be happy with her.”
John Sargent's star mare Luvaluva
The winner of the G2 Wakeful S., the G3 Kembla Grange Classic and the G3 Adrian Know S., Luvaluva was spelled after she was unplaced in the G1 Australian Oaks. “The Oaks was her only blip and she was on a back-up job after the Adrian Knox and she obviously didn’t back up,” Sargent said. “She spelled really well though and there’s no reason why she can’t go on with it now.”
“She spelled really well though and there’s no reason why she can’t go on with it now.” - John Sargent.
Luvaluva’s main goal will be the G1 Caulfield Cup and Sargent is flexible about the path he will take to the October feature. “She’s a lot bigger and stronger now, she’s 20kg heavier, and everything revolves around the Cup,” he said.
“She’ll probably have her next run in her own grade over a mile here in three weeks’ time and then maybe into the Hill Stakes. The Derby winner Ace High will probably be there and that would give us a good guide as to where we’re at or she could go to Melbourne to finish off her preparation. She goes well that way around.”
Sargent purchased Luvaluva out of Surrey Farm’s 2016 Ready to Run Sale draft at Karaka in 2016 for $55,000. She is out of Wansesingyee (Galileo {IRE}), who is a three-quarter sister to the stakes winner Luvuleo. It is also the family of the G3 Emancipation S., winner Almazyoon (AUS) (Danehill {USA}).
