News

Loveya looks Abell

13th Mar 2013

Racing Victoria - by Andrew Garvey - Tuesday, 12 March 2013

In-form mare out to pick up black type at Moonee Valley on Friday

She is stepping up into open company for the first time but Mick Price is confident that Loveyamadly will acquit herself well in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Loveyamadly has been in outstanding form this campaign winning three out of her four starts and Price said that he could not have been happier with her.

''This is the best prep she has ever had,'' Price said.

''It is the best I've ever had her going and she is really enjoying herself and racing well.''

This campaign is the first that Loveyamadly has gone past two runs and Price said she has been thriving on a preparation that has been varied.

''We don't do a lot with her on the track and she does plenty of work on the water walker along with the occasional trip to the beach.''

At her most recent start, Loveyamadly ran home strongly to defeat classy mares Avoid Lightning and Glows in a sets weights and penalties race at Flemington and on Friday, she will be trying to win her first black type race.

''She's taking on open company and that is tougher but I think she has earned her chance in a race like that,'' Price said.

All Loveyamadly's wins have been over distances less that 1200 metres but Price said he goes towards Friday's race with a degree of confidence that the trip will not be a problem.

''Her form is mainly over slightly shorter trips but based on her Group 3 run here, it shouldn't be any problem,'' said Price referring to Loveyamadly's narrow defeat at Caulfield two starts back in the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes over 1200 metres.

Price said he is considering taking Loveyamadly to Adelaide to chase some back type races next month and the mare would probably have another start in Melbourne before heading over there.

On Sunday, a little closer to home, Price will be chasing a win in the First Light Racing Bendigo Guineas (1400m), with progressive gelding General Peekay.

At his most recent start, General Peekay was slowly away and settled well back in the field at Caulfield over 1200 metres.

He ran on strongly in the straight to finish fourth just behind the placegetters and should be nicely suited over the 1400 metres of the Guineas.

''It will be a hot race up there but he's going well and I think he'll be somewhere in the money,'' Price said.

The full list of nominations for Friday's feature Moonee Valley card are available here