Te Aroha possible for Luvaluva after Group Three test

[Chief Stipe]

Sydney-based trainer John Sargent is expecting a solid showing from New Zealand-bred mare Luvaluva when she lines up in the Gr. 3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick on Saturday.

The Group Two winner heads into the race off the back of an unplaced run in the 1300-metre Gr. 2 Millie Fox Stakes and Sargent is looking forward to stepping his mare up to 1600 metres this weekend.

“I think she will go well,” he said. “It was a good first-up run, but well short of her best. We are well in at the weights at 53.5 kilograms. She’s won over a mile at Randwick before, I think it should suit her nicely.

“She’s about 20 kilograms heavier than she was in the spring. In the last couple of months she has probably matured a lot more.”

Sargent said he was pleased with Luvaluva’s work yesterday and he is hoping for a solid pace in Saturday’s contest.

“She worked on the course proper over 1200 metres and quickened up the last 300 metres, I was very happy,” he said. “Jay Ford (jockey) knows her well, he has won on her. A hard run mile here on Saturday I think should suit her.”

A potential tilt at the Gr. 1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha next month could be on the cards for Luvaluva, but Sargent said a decision won’t be made until after Saturday’s run.

“I’m waiting to see what happens on Saturday before planning for the rest of the autumn,” Sargent said.

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