Trainer Michael Grantham expects Saturday’s Belmont Park meeting to provide a good guide on some of his stable’s talented gallopers.
A Belmont Oaks campaign is at stake for Luvnwar, who finished second to Generosity at her first start for Grantham last month.
The filly steps up to 1400m in Saturday’s Mrs Mac’s Handicap, where Grantham said a strong showing could see her progress to next month’s three-year-old staying features.
“I was pleasantly surprised she ran second first-up,” Grantham told The Races WA.
“Her heart rate keeps getting lower and she keeps doing things right.
“I think she will go well on Saturday and if she does then she might be an Oaks horse.
“If she goes well then I have to think if we line up in the Guineas, or do we wait for the Oaks when the numbers fall away.”
Luvnwar was installed a $5.50 TABtouch favourite, but was quickly supported into $4.80, ahead of Californication ($5.50) and Playing Games ($6).
Another intriguing runner on the day for Grantham is Western Knight, who lines up in the Free Entry To Belmont Park Handicap (1400m).
The gelding will line up for the first time since the inaugural running of the Kia Quokka (1200m) in 2023, when he was trained by Adam Durrant.
The five-year-old has had two trials for Grantham, who said he wasn’t sure what to expect this weekend.
“I reckon he’s probably a stayer now,” he said.
“Over the 1400m we will assess what happens and if we need to step him up in trip.
“I wish I had him going earlier so he might have been able to have a crack at the Strickland Stakes next week.”
Western Knight, to be ridden by Chris Parnham, is on the third line of betting at $8.50 with TABtouch, where Rope Them In is the $2.30 favourite.
