After Luvnwar doubled up at Pinjarra on Saturday, attacking the line hard to win the Hygain Handicap (1400m), the Peters family and trainer Michael Grantham have laid out preparations for the Ascot carnival. The four-year-old validated her $1.60 TAB Touch quote by defeating Speed Demon by a neck margin after jockey Clint Johnston-Porter carved a passage between runners, forcing bettors to wait until the program’s last event. Luvnwar is the only one participating in this cameo winter campaign; she has done enough this time around to focus on her feature race preparations for later this year, and she enters the paddock unbeaten after placing first up over 1200m at Pinjarra two weeks ago. “Very pleased with her two starts she’s had this time in,” Liam Peters said on Tabradio.
“She appears to be a true weapon, and Michael has had her spot-on for the past two runs.” Everyone’s eyes are on the carnival. According to Peters, Luvnwar’s primary objective is the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m). “Ideally,” Peters replied. “I believe the mile is her sweet spot, but it’s nice to have the option to drop back to those mare races.” Going there would be the main objective. “She will now take a brief respite and get ready for the carnival.” Prior to her Ascot carnival assault, Luvnwar leaves her racing preparation on a higher note than she did the year before, giving Grantham and the Peters family newfound confidence. War Decree’s daughter finished second in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and was turned out after being unplaced in the Peters’ Classic (1500m) and Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).
Peters remarked, “She’s returned a much bigger, stronger mare.” “She’s a little smarter and more professional; she knows where the finish line is and what needs to be done.” Other than doing regular things to keep her happy, I don’t think anything special was done. In contrast to previous prep, when she gave us an off run near the end and we weren’t really sure what to do next, everything has gone nicely. “We couldn’t ask for more from her, and I’m really happy with the two starts she’s had this time in.” Luvnwar’s most recent Pinjarra triumph brought her to just under $300,000 in prize money from 12 race outings, including five victories and four placings.
