Sydney trainer John Sargent is expecting a solid showing from New Zealand-bred mare Luvaluva when she competes in the Gr.3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

 

The Group Two winner heads into the race off the back of an unplaced run in the Gr.2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) and Sargent is looking forward to stepping his mare up in distance.

 

“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 53.5kg. She’s won over a mile at Randwick before, I think it should suit her nicely.

 

“She’s about 20kg 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 on Tuesday and he is hoping for a solid pace in Saturday’s contest.

 

“She worked on the course proper over 1200m and quickened up the last 300m, 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 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha next month could be on the cards for Luvaluva, however, 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.

 

 

 

The Sir Peter Vela-owned Eminent has landed safely in Sydney and will undergo two weeks in quarantine at Canterbury ahead of his autumn campaign.

 

The son of Frankel has won three of his 11 career starts, including the Gr.2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (2000m) and Gr.3 Craven Stakes (1609m),

 

Eminent is now trained by dual gold medal-winning Olympian Sir Mark Todd and is currently in the care of former New Zealand jockey Bruce Herd until Todd arrives in Sydney later this week.

 

Herd said Eminent had handled the trip well and has settled into his new surroundings.

 

"He only lost about eight kilograms on the trip, he's eating well and drinking well,'' Herd told Racing NSW. 

 

"It didn't seem to affect him at all. He's a beautiful moving horse who will really appreciate the speed on over here.” 

 

Eminent is on a course to clash with superstar mare Winx in both the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) next month and possibly the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) shortly after his stint in quarantine.