Photo: Western Racepix
To find New Zealand stakes success in Australia this past weekend we need to trek across the Nullarbor to Perth where Luvnwar (War Decree) scored the Belmont Guineas (Listed, 1600m). She was the sole New Zealandbred in the race.
Kiwi Chronicles of June 10th made mention to Luvnwar's first win out west since being sent from the South Island to race in Bob Peters' colours of cerise with white crossed sashes. In three starts from her new home she is now two from three and for her sire, War Decree (War Front), sets up a nice way to wind the season down.
For Inglewood Stud, a second stakes winner within a few weeks of a stunning ten length win by Warmonger (War Decree) in the Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m), is exactly the tonic that the South Island breeding industry needs.
Inglewood's Gus Wigley reports that since Warmonger's Derby win more than 50 bookings have rolled in and after the Perth result those bookings will no doubt keep pouring in. If breeders are waiting, they might ask themselves: Why?
Sam Beatson of Riversley Park purchased Luvnwar for $22,500 from Book 2 of the 2022 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. The filly had three starts in New Zealand for a win and a Group 3 third in the Barnswood Farm Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) last October.
At Belmont for the Guineas she was always well placed and had sufficient room, away from the fence prior to straightening, to pounce. Three deep at the top of the straight she challenged the leaders at the 200 metres and once in front from the 100 metres was always in control, drawing away to take her record to three wins, a second and a third in six starts.
Luvnwar is a half-sister to Southland Guineas (Listed, 1600m) winner Chokito (Vespa), the only two foals from their dam, Pretty Woman (Pins) to race. Sadly, Pretty Woman died after producing three foals of which Luvnwar is her last. Granddam Howmuchyacharging (Howbaddouwantit) won the Highview Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and placed third in the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m).
Howmuchyacharging is a daughter of Fairdale Lass (Centaine), bred, unsurprisingly, by Fairdale Stud from a Biscay (Star Kingdom) mare they bred from during the 80s and 90s. That mare was Gay Antoinette and she produced two Group 3 winners. One in particular was the highclass sprinter Rock You (Oregon) whose best winning performance was the Rupert Steele Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Flemington. He placed second three times in Group 1 Melbourne sprints.
