Lyuba continues its winning ways at Flemington

CARRYING top weight made no difference for Lyuba on Saturday as the smart four-year-old took out the Lanec Services R78 Handicap at Flemington.

With a weight of 57.5kg on its back after the 2kg claim from apprentice Ben Allen, the Darren Weir-trained mare took its record to five wins from seven starts with another classy display down the Flemington straight.

Allen cuddled the daughter of Turffontein before pulling around Magna Rossa and sprinting late to score at odds of $4.30 with Sportsbet.com.au.

“Super run by her, probably the best she’s ever relaxed for me,” Allen said.

“We just got left in a pocket where once they kicked I was able to ease out and pop to the outside of Katelyn (Mallyon on Magna Rossa. Once I got clear room I was confident she was going to hit the line well.

It was Allen’s third win aboard the mare which won at Moonee Valley fresh up last start and he believes it will only get better.

“She’s improving every race,” Allen said. “She’s just really starting to relax and taking it in her stride. She’s just going to get better.”

Winning trainer and part-owner Darren Weir commended Allen’s ride and stated the four-year-old wasn’t an easy horse to ride.

“She’s not an easy horse to ride, but he rode her well first up and then [he was] able to get her to settle like he did,” Weir said.

“She’s got that tendency to over-race and when he got in behind and followed like that, she just lost a little bit there at one stage, but when he got to the outside she let down really well and it ended up a great ride.”

Lyuba was a cheap sales purchase for Weir who plans to continue racing the four-year-old throughout the summer.

“I bought her really cheap at a sale, just liked her. It wasn’t much money, I don’t think it was even $3000,” Weir said.

“She’s been a great little pick up for the stable and [she’s] just consistent.

“She’s always shown a lot of ability, she’s not easy.

“I’ve got a bit of this one so she’ll be racing for awhile.”

Weir has a big team engaged at Flemington on Saturday, but he identified Black Sheep as his best bet of the day in the Urban Maintenance Systems Handicap at 5.20pm.

“I like Black Sheep. I reckon he’s racing very well. I’m not saying he’s going to win, but he’ll certainly run well,” Weir added.

Black Sheep is currently a $4 chance at CrownBet.com.au.

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