Second Stakes-Winner for Embellish

Media Release - Sunday October 13

Cambridge Stud’s outstanding weekend continued at Rotorua on Sunday, with their exciting mare Luberon adding a valuable black-type success to her name in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m).

Luberon powers to victory in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua on Sunday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The previous day at Te Rapa, Snazzytavi carried the prominent yellow and black-chequered silks to victory in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) for Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, and it was the turn of the Stud’s private trainer Lance Noble in the feature sprint, where Luberon was rated a $6.20 hope on the TAB tote.

A competitive field assembled in this year’s race, with a number of proven elite-level sprinters in the mix, while Luberon had put her hand up as a key chance with a strong resuming victory at Ellerslie last month, starting fourth-favourite with Bonny Lass on top at $3.20.

With Warren Kennedy in the saddle, Luberon was positively away from the gates before front-runner Farravallo took over the lead, with the mare settling midfield and off the fence.

Turning for home, Luberon trailed Navigator and ranged up on his outside to hit the lead at the 200m, before showing a sizzling turn of foot to kick clear by more than two lengths. Rising talent Navigator and Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner Waitak put in strong performances to fill the trifecta.

Noble was thrilled with the performance, which was Luberon’s first stakes victory after placing in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and finishing fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

“She’s probably just fulfilling the promise she’s shown as a three-year-old, a few things went wrong so this is very pleasing,” Noble said.

“She is a great advertisement for Embellish, and it tops off a great weekend for Cambridge Stud.”

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After the race, Kennedy indicated the shorter distances were now well suited to Luberon.

“Since we’ve brought her back to the sprints, I think she’s found her niche,” Kennedy said.

“Lance put those cheek pieces on her and it’s done the trick, they went at a good pace up front and she was a little bit fierce for me, but when she saw daylight, she’s picked them up really quickly and easily.

“It was just a hands and heels ride.”

Luberon has now earned $196,875 in stakes with five wins from just ten starts and is the second stakes-winner for her young sire Embellish.

Luberon was bred by her owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay who operate the farm and is the best of two winners from unraced Fastnet Rock mare Elegant Achiever.. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - Sweynesse Stakes Gr3 1215m

Arawa Park Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:11.54
1
Luberon
- 4m Embellish (NZ) x Elegant Achiever (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: W B Kennedy 56.5
2
2.3
Navigator
- 5g El Roca (AUS) x Joiya (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: R T Elliot 59
NZB Karaka Book 1 $110,000
Seller: Westbury Stud
Buyer: Mr C Cole
3
3.3
Waitak
- 5g Proisir (AUS) x Repo Bay (NZ) (Shocking (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 59
4
4.3
Mercurial
- 6g Burgundy (NZ) x Roxette (NZ) (Half Century (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S C Spratt 59
5
5.3
Bonny Lass
- 6m Super Easy (NZ) x Posh Bec (NZ) (Le Bec Fin (NZ))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: C J Grylls 57
6
6.3
Martell
- 5g El Roca (AUS) x Myrcella (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: J C Collett Rdr: Jessica Allen 59
7
7.5
Belardi
- 3g Belardo (IRE) x Japonica (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Joe Doyle 52
8
10.2
Farravallo
- 4g Belardo (IRE) x Manurewa (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: O P Bosson 58.5
9
13.5
Macthief
- 8g Time Thief (AUS) x Yellow Card (SAF) (Trippi (USA))
Tnr: J W Bell Rdr: D A Mansour 59
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