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...
Breeding to Win - G1 CF Orr Stakes
A small but select field of seven runners will line up in the $1million MRC CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Caulfield and a fascinating contest awaits for the first running of this great race in it's new slot on the calendar.
$3million I Am Invincible Filly Wins for Resolute Racing
John Stewart’s Resolute Racing has been active at yearling sales all over the world in recent years and a high profile acquisition in Australia was $3million Inglis Easter purchase Ernaux, who opened her account at Canterbury on Friday night.
Strong Godolphin draft headlines November (Late) catalogue
A 12-strong Godolphin draft headlined by G2 winner Corniche and an enticing three-in-one package featuring the half sister to four-time G1 winner Hartnell are among the standout entries for the Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
November Foals? Time to Breed a Winner with Aquis
November breeding reminders, here’s the truth… some of the best are born late.
G1 CF Orr Stakes - Two of Them in 2025 - Not All Change is Bad!
Flemington is done and dusted for another year, but Melbourne’s Spring carnival rocks on and programming changes continue, with the relocation of the MRC's time honoured G1 CF Orr Stakes from its traditional February slot.
Charlotte's Web - Magic Millions Digital Makes New Appointment
Magic Millions Digital is excited to announce the appointment of well known industry member Charlotte Geoghegan as the platform's Digital Sales Co-ordinator.
Best Pinhook Winners – NZB Ready to Run
A record-breaking renewal of the NZB Ready to Run Sale this week produced plenty of pinhook winners for astute investors and they included the highest priced horse sold at the sale this year.
Vendors Savour NZ Ready to Run Success
The snowballing success of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale has been built on the internationally renowned skills of its vendors, whose efforts were rewarded with outstanding results at Karaka on Wednesday and Thursday.
$500,000 Sword of State Colt Stars at Ready to Run
Cambridge Stud's rising stallion star Sword Of State had buyers’ hearts racing in the early stages of New Zealand Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale with a top class colt selling for $500,000.
Max Lees 2YO Classic Sale Mail
The $160,000 Max Lees Classic (900m) is a spring scamper for juveniles at the standalone Newcastle meeting on Saturday that invariably produces a good contest and with 12 runners that are all unraced the Sale Mail and trial form will be the guide.