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.

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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.

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