Luvnwar (NZ) Lands Listed Feature

Three-year-olds sold through the Karaka Sales Centre and sired by Inglewood Stud’s War Decree have been a recipe for multiple big-race successes in Australia this month.

Three weeks after Warmonger (NZ) romped to a runaway 10-length blitz in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m), the lightly raced Luvnwar (NZ) stylishly announced her arrival on the black-type stage in Saturday’s A$125,000 Listed Amelia Park Belmont Guineas (1600m) in Perth.

Luvnwar was a $22,500 purchase from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. Her six-start career has now produced three wins and two placings, earning A$135,145 – more than six times her purchase price.

A half-sister to the Listed winner Chokito (NZ) (Vespa), Luvnwar began her career in New Zealand with three starts last spring 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.

Luvnwar was a placegetter over 1200 metres in her Australian debut for new trainer Michael Grantham, then won over 1400 metres on June 8. She stepped up into feature three-year-old company on Saturday and immediately made her mark.

Ridden by Patrick Carbery, Luvnwar was quick to leave the starting gates and briefly led before settling just behind the pace in third.

Luvnwar took control in the straight and kicked clear, maintaining a clear advantage to the line to win by a length and a half.

“She does everything right,” Bob Peters said. “The way she jumps and puts herself into position is good and we were lucky with the barrier (three). She got a nice run through and it was good to see her get the 1600 metres.

“Well into the straight, he still hadn’t moved on her and I thought ‘that’s good’ but then she hit the front probably a little too soon and I saw those others coming down the outside. She fought on well, so that was good to see.

“Liam is the one who found this horse. I didn’t know anything about her and he came to me with her, so it was good.”