A mare bought for just $22,500 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022 took her career earnings past A$400,000 with her second black-type success in the A$200,000 Group Three Mrs Mac’s La Trice Classic (1800m) at Ascot on New Year’s Day.
Luvnwar (NZ) (War Decree) was offered by Beaufort Downs at Karaka 2022 and was bought by Riversley Park. She has now had 17 starts for six wins, six placings and A$432,075 in stakes – more than 22 times her purchase price.
Previously the winner of the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old, Luvnwar added the La Trice Classic on Thursday with an impressive performance in the hands of jockey Clint Johnston-Porter.
The Michael Grantham-trained Luvnwar settled in fifth and one off the rail, then hooked out wider into clear air just before the home turn to begin to launch her run.
Luvnwar lengthened stride in the straight and ran down the front-running Secret Attraction (NZ) (Savabeel) to win by a length.
Johnston-Porter was pleased to pick up a feature win on Luvnwar after guiding her to a strong-finishing third in the Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) on December 13 – one of five black-type placings in her career.
“That run was unbelievable,” he said. “I didn’t expect her to get as close as she did. We were zigging and zagging, and then next minute we were on top of the winner.
“With a better gate today, we were able to be in a closer position and take advantage of it. It surprised me that the leader ran along so strongly. That was the one to chase down, and I felt like we had her covered a long way out.”
A half-sister to the Listed winner Chokito (NZ) (Vespa), Luvnwar began her career in New Zealand with three starts for Riccarton trainer Terri Rae. She won on the Riccarton synthetic track on September 13, then produced an eye-catching finish for third behind Star Of Justice (Justify) and Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) in the Group Three Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton. She was subsequently bought by Byerley Bloodstock’s Liam Peters on behalf of his grandfather, leading Perth owner Bob Peters.
“This is one that Liam found,” Bob Peters said. “She’s taken a little while, but she’s had bad luck in some of her races and gone very close in other ones. Today she was quite dominant.
“We aimed for some of the bigger races and didn’t quite get there, so we dropped back. In terms of the mares’ races, this was the one we thought she would have the best chance in, and she’s done the job for us.”
| Vendor | Beaufort Downs Ltd |
|---|---|
| Purchaser | Riversley Park (Ohaupo) |
| Breeding | War Decree – Pretty Woman |
| Sale | Lot 1001, Karaka 2022 Book 2, $22,500 |
| Breeder | T Schroeder |
| Owner | Peters Investments Pty Ltd |
