Saturday's Valley run not the grand final for Lovani

Brad Waters - Thursday August 24

Lovani has been a slight mover in the market but trainer Robert Smerdon suggests a cautious approach from punters looking for a betting lead on Saturday's Dr Sheahan Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Advertisement
Lovani has had some support in the early betting on Saturday's Moonee Valley meeting. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Sportsbet and William Hill have turned Lovani's price from $11 to $9 while Ladbrokes have tightened her quote from $10 to $9 but Smerdon said Saturday's 1200m affair was a good platform for races over longer trips.

"Like most things these days, it (the money) is not stable inspired. It's probably just people doing the form and seeing what price she should be," Smerdon said.

"She's in good shape but she's certainly aimed at races a bit longer down the track.

"We had her poking around and having an easy time but in three weeks' time she'll go into a 1400m race, which will be more to her liking."

Lovani won her last two runs over 1600m before Smerdon gave her a break to recover ahead of some more testing assignments in the spring.

Smerdon said the daughter of Lonhro never left his Caulfield stable with the team preferring to lessen Lovani's workload rather than send her to a paddock, which the trainer said posed its own difficulties.

"At that time of the year when you're trying to extend their prep into the spring, I just think the stable is the best place for them because it's a protected environment," Smerdon said.

"They go to the paddock for any length of time and the climate can knock them back a bit."

Lovani was given an easy time in an 800m jumpout at Caulfield on Tuesday morning but Smerdon said the four-year-old was in good order for her coming tests.

"The idea is to maintain her preparation until some black type opportunities in the spring," Smerdon said.

"She's thriving, I think she looks great in herself and I'm happy with that aspect but the objective is to try and be competitive in three to five weeks' time when they have the black type races."

Luke Currie will ride Lovani in Saturday's $100,000 contest.

Advertisment
More Reading...
2YOs on Show - Flemington Sale Mail
Cup Day at Flemingto will kick off with the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) which has attracted a big field of juveniles including some unraced blueblood homebred babies for Godolphin and Yulong as well as the highest priced yearling by first crop sire Pinatubo (IRE).
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Melbourne Cup
The greatest day in Australian racing, nay in Australian sport is upon us - Cup Eve is better than Christmas Eve!
A Century of National Yearling Sales Success: Melbourne Cup
There are many great events and coveted prizes on the Australian racing calendar, but no others capture attention quite like the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
A Wet Melbourne Cup Has a Certain Kind of Magic
Wet Melbourne Cups have a different character, and are often memorable... and we might just see one on Tuesday! 
Victorian stewards open inquiry into alleged raceday treatment
Racing Victoria stewards have opened an inquiry into the alleged raceday treatment of a Robert Smerdon-trained runner in Saturday’s Listed Paris Lane Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.
DIY Pedigrees for Melbourne Cup – Take the Tip!
If you are having trouble settling on your Melbourne Cup horses a look at pedigree might be a help, so take a flick through our five generation pedigrees for all Cup runners and we’re giving you a clue as to what to look for!
Tara Talks Racing - Melbourne Cup Tips
If you are a racing tragic and horse lover like Clocker and I, Melbourne Cup Eve is as good as it gets, so have a listen to our thoughts and you can put the pen through our very dodgy tips or add them to your multiples!
Sire Table Shake Up – Carnival Stars Bring Change
The $10million Golden Eagle and the first day of the Flemington Carnival delivered some big changes to our sire tables as we power through the spring.
White Robe Lodge to Cheer Smokin' Romans
Group One winner Smokin’ Romans will aim to extend his breeder Brian Anderton’s successful run in the Gr.1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) when he takes his place in the iconic Flemington feature on Tuesday afternoon.
G1 Breeders Cup Winner for Almanzor
Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (FR) has been firing in the Northern Hemisphere this year and one of his star performers has been French Oaks winner Gezora, who raised the bar again at Del Mar on Sunday when taking out the Group I Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare (1m3f).