History Repeats
In 2009, trainer Danny O’Brien produced a pre-Christmas debut two-year-old winner over 1000m at Moonee Valley in eventual dual Group 1 winner Star Witness. On Friday night history repeated as the trainer stepped out the gun stallion’s half-sister, Lady Lupino, who matched her brother with an all the way win over the same trip.
The Widden-bred filly showed all the speed of her family by bouncing to the front for jockey Damien Oliver and proving too strong for her rivals, in what was a commanding debut.
O’Brien, who trained the siblings’s mother, Leone Chiara, also bred and part owns this filly and he was ecstatic with the performance.
“She has been a star broodmare and it’s really exciting to have this filly come out and perform as well as she did tonight,” O’Brien said.
“She has inherited all of her family’s best traits and she has really exciting future.”
Dam Leone Chiara won 7 races, including the Group 3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville, from 26 career starts. In the breeding barn she has produced champion colt Star Witness and Group 3 winner Nostradamus, and Lady Lupino became her seventh winner from eighth foal to race.
O’Brien said he would see how the daughter of Sebring came through her debut performance before deciding on her next step.
Pic by Racing Photos
Jaw-dropping stakes win
[22 Feb 19]
An ice-cold, nerves of steel ride by jockey Brett Prebble allowed Embrace Me to unleash a jaw-dropping display to claim the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night. After easing back to last from the widest draw, Prebble threaded his way through the field to record the stunning stakes success.
more...
Tower-ing performance from Savabeel gelding
[19 Feb 19]
Tower Road showed fighting qualities that will hold him good stead for his future racing to secure his maiden victory at Seymour on Tuesday. Sent out a $2 favourite, the son of Savabeel shot to the lead and was then challenged strongly inside the final 100m before kicking to hold a small margin on the line.
more...
Filly Embraces Valley Black-type test
[18 Feb 19]
Danny O’Brien took the opportunity to let Embrace Me have another feel of Moonee Valley on Monday ahead of Friday night’s Group III Typhoon Tracy Stakes.
more...