Victoria Oaks market reshuffled after Wakeful Stakes
JOHN Sargent has worked his magic once again with three-year-old filly Luvaluva winning the Wakeful Stakes on Saturday.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman will now head to the Victoria Oaks on Thursday – a race Sargent won in 2013 with Kirramosa.
“It’ll give the filly a lot of confidence. She hasn’t been this way around and she’ll be good to go on Thursday,” Sargent said.
Winning jockey Blake Shinn was credited with a 10/10 ride and the in-form jockey is looking forward to riding the progressive filly in Thursday’s Melbourne Cup carnival feature for the fillies.
“(John Sargent) has been known for getting these three-year-old fillies to peak for Oaks day,” Shinn said. “He told me before her first that she was a VRC Oaks filly.
“I rode her in track work and trials, she’s been coming to hand nicely.
“You couldn’t have asked for a better Oaks trial.”
The Wakeful Stakes result caused an immediate reaction from bookmakers, which quickly shifted certain runners up and down the market order.
The big mover was obviously Luvaluva, which firmed into $6.50 before drifting out a touch to $7 with Sportsbet.com.au.
Race favourite and Thousand Guineas winner Aloisia remained steady at $1.60, but the big drift belonged to Bring Me Roses, which was awfully disappointing in the Wakeful.
The Tony McEvoy-trained runner had attracted attention earlier in the week following its win in the Edward Manifold, but a late betting drift on Derby day was warranted as the filly was never to be seen in the running.
Pinot remains on the second line of betting, but punters should be confident with Luvaluva, knowing that master Oaks trainer John Sargent has a big opinion of his filly.
“She has a turn-of-foot, so if they go hard or slow, she can sit wherever she wants,” he said. “Hopefully she gets a barrier draw for Thursday so she can settle closer.”