Luvaluva on target for VRC Oaks

John Sargent has had a long-range plan to get Luvaluva to the VRC Oaks and sees no reason to change the formula.

While many of her potential Oaks rivals ran in Saturday’s Group Three Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield over 2000 metres, Sargent was happy to keep Luvaluva to a 1600m-benchmark 75 race at Randwick.

She ran second to the talented Kaonic who is also headed to the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Her trainer was pleased with the way Luvaluva worked home and bookmakers were also impressed, cutting her Oaks price from $26 to $9.

“That was the run I was looking for,” Sargent said.

“She will go to the Wakeful Stakes and then the Oaks.

“Same old, same old. I’ve used that path before and I’m not going to change it.

Sargent won the 2013 VRC Oaks with Kirramosa and trained Thunder Lady to run second to Set Square a year later after both won the Wakeful.

Kirramosa ran second in the corresponding Randwick race before the Wakeful while Thunder Lady ran third in an 1850m-maiden at Newcastle.

Like Thunder Lady, Luvaluva is by Coolmore stallion Mastercraftsman who shuttled to New Zealand’s Windsor Park Stud.

“She is out of a Galileo mare and the further she goes the more she will like it,” Sargent said.

Thousand Guineas winner Aloisia is the early $3.40 Oaks favourite ahead of Ethereal Stakes winner Pinot who has firmed to $4.

The others ahead of Luvaluva are Edward Manifold Stakes winner Bring Me Roses at $7 and Temple Of Bel, a winner over 1600m at Caulfield last Wednesday, who is at $8.

The Wakeful Stakes is at Flemington on November 4, five days before the Oaks (2500m).