3 minute read

Some “barrier trial”!

Hawkesbury husband and wife training partnership Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard had initially intended to trial Luvoir at home next Tuesday in preparation for his return to racing.

But when he worked so well last Thursday, they changed their mind and decided to have a "throw at the stumps" in what on the surface seemed an unsuitable 1200m Benchmark 78 Handicap considering he had never won at that distance.

With star apprentice Zac Lloyd aboard, Luvoir jumped as a $51 chance and led throughout to post the seventh win of his career, picking up $28,400 in the process and boosting his earnings to just over $355,000.

The seven-year-old had not raced since October 11 when fourth to Cinque Torri in a similar midweek race, but over a more suitable 1600m.

"We gave him a freshen up, and were going to trial him at home next week," Jason Attard said this evening.

"But he was very strong in his last gallop last Thursday when I rode him. "I had trouble pulling him up.

"So we discussed it and decided to throw him in the 1200m race, thinking he could finish Top 4.

"Whilst we certainly didn't think he was a good thing, we expected him to run well."

Lloyd took full advantage of Luvoir's inside draw by making the running, and never really gave his rivals a look-in.

He shook off $2.80 favorite King Of Naples after straightening, gave a good kick and held off Testator Silens ($8.50) and Miss Hellfire ($3.10).

Lloyd has developed a real affinity with the Hawkesbury gelding. He has ridden Luvoir seven times for three wins and hasn't finished further back than fourth.

"They're both as cheeky as one another," Jason Attard laughed.

Luvoir was switched to Team Attard last year, and clearly enjoys life on the farm.

He has now won three races – all in town – for the couple, who will now look for probably a 1400m race as his next assignment.

Luvoir was Team Attard's fourth winner of the season, and the 61st for the Hawkesbury training base.

Unfortunately, hopes of a breakthrough city double were dashed when Oh Golly Gosh ($3.80) was disadvantaged by an outside draw in the following race, the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m), against her pown sex.

She finished fifth to Gosford mare Miss Checkoni ($6.50), beaten just over two and a half lengths.