Trainer Michael Grantham can be confident that three-year-old filly LUVNWAR can maintain her winning momentum in Saturday’s $125,000 Listed Amelia Park-Belmont Guineas (1600m) at Belmont Park, Australia.
LUVNWAR brings a unique form line to Saturday’s Listed feature, having recently competed in a 1400m Graduation Handicap on Raconteur Stakes day. In that race, LUVNWAR showcased her tenacity by overtaking Wonder Weapon and I Dreamed A Dream in the closing stages to secure a narrow victory.
This win followed an impressive Australian debut last month over 1200m after arriving from New Zealand as a one-time winner from three. LUVNWAR has drawn favourably low, with her main competitors, Brave Spirit, Petrouchka, and The Boss Lady, positioned in less advantageous barriers.
Quality four-year-old gelding BERBERE is poised to atone for an luckless last-start defeat when he races second-up in the $80,000 Ratings 66+ Handicap over 1300 meters at Belmont, Australia, on Saturday.
BERBERE, already a three-time winner from seven starts, resumed from a nine-month break at this track over 1000 metres earlier this month. In that race, he was heavily backed to start as a warm odds-on favourite. Unfortunately, he settled too far back and encountered traffic issues upon straightening. It wasn’t until he was eased outwards around heels at the 200-metre mark that he found clear running, finishing hard and fast into fourth place, beaten by approximately three lengths.
Given the promising nature of his return run, BERBERE looks set to bounce back to his winning ways under jockey William Pike. A return to displaying tactical early speed could see him overcome the setbacks from his last race and prove the difference between winning and losing.
In Queensland, the Robert Heathcote-trained CHABOOM is poised to go one place better when he contests the $24,500 Maiden Handicap for three-year-olds over 1000 metres at Toowoomba racecourse.
CHABOOM made his racetrack debut a week and a half ago in a $40,000 Maiden race at Doomben. In that race, he raced too keenly in the midfield due to the small field and moderate tempo. Despite these challenges, he finished strongly, closing late into second place after the leader was able to dictate the pace throughout the race.
With a significant drop in class for Saturday’s contest, CHABOOM faces a much easier field than he did on debut. Given this favourable setup, he stands out as the one to beat and is expected to secure a strong performance.
