Lubiton toughs it out in Mona Lisa Stakes

Darryl Sherer - Friday September 1

Lubiton proved too strong as she led home the quinella for trainer Bjorn Baker in Friday's Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong.

Advertisement
Lubiton winning the Mona Lisa Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

After setting in second place behind Slumber Party, Lubiton ($3.20 fav) came with her challenge around the home turn to strike the front, staying on strongly to hold out Imposing Lass ($5) by three-quarters of a length with Hetty Heights ($7) a short head away third.

Lubiton had raced on the speed when winning first-up at Canterbury on August 16 and Baker told Sky Racing the Mona Lisa was run to suit.

"I think the way the race panned out it probably helped both horses as they will definitely get over further," Baker said.

"They've got a bombproof racing pattern and that worked out beautifully today.

"Lubiton was brave - you've got to be forward today and it was an excellent effort."

Baker tried both Lubiton and Imposing Lass over 2400m at Group I level last preparation and Baker said he will have to reassess their optimum distances.

"I think they are probably more middle distance horses but we'll have to have a think about where we go with both of them," Baker said.

"There's a pretty good race at Newcastle (Tibbie Stakes) coming up and there's the Golden Pendant in three weeks so we'll have to have a big think.

"It's great to get a Listed win with Lubiton and Steve Gillard (owner) has been a big supporter of the stable. She's a valuable mare now being by Snitzel."

Glyn Schofield said Lubiton appreciated the 4.5kg drop in weight from her previous start.

"It was a reproduction of her last win, she was really strong at Canterbury with the big weight," Schofield said

"She lengthened more than quickened around the turn - it was a good tough win."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday October 24
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
A Century of NZB National Yearling Sales Success: Cox Plate
Moonee Valley’s A$6m Group One WS Cox Plate (2040m) is known as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and has been won by many of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Winning Return for Blueblood I Am Invincible Filly
Last seen finishing an unlucky fourth in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May, speedy I Am Invincible filly Sisstainable returned from a spell at Moonee Valley on Friday night to score a tenacious win.
Melbourne Cup Next for UK Raider Onesmoothoperator
Winner of the Group III Geelong Cup last year at his first Australian appearance, UK trained stayer Onesmoothoperator (USA) had not won a race since then but was back in the winning groove last night take out the $750,000 Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).
Early Return Home for Cogburn
Group I winning Not This Time son Cogburn (USA) will return to WinStar Farm in Kentucky earlier than planned after disappointing fertility results during his first Australian covering season at Widden Stud.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.
Good News Week for Geisel Park
Geisel Park’s black-type mare Laced Up Heels is in foal off a maiden cover to Champion Australian Sire Zoustar and an orphan foal has found a new mum.
Magic Millions First Digital Sale - Opportunities Aplenty
Bidding is now open for the first Magic Millions Digital Sale with opportunities across all levels of the market for prospective buyers.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Friday morning featured a couple of juvenile heats and both winners came out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions with one topping the sale at $2.8million and the other selling for a modest $150,000.