Two Thousand Dollar Filly a Group Winner on Derby Day

Mark Smith - Saturday November 4

In a head-bobbing finish the 5yo Turffontein mare Lyuba earned a first black-type success in Saturday's $200,000 Group III Skip Sprint (1100m) at Flemington.

The Darren Weir-trained filly has been a model of consistency without winning of late.

She has been runner-up six times in nine starts since scoring back to back wins at Flemington and Moonee Valley.

One of the first to begin for Damian Lane, Lyabu settled midfield as Sheidel led the field down the centre of the track.

As Sheidel began to weaken, the challenges came thick and fast.

Lyuba gradually got the better of a stubborn Concealer but was all out to hold the challenge of the fast-finishing Savanna Amour by a short-half-head. Concealer was the same distance back in third just ahead of the Sydneysider Nieta. (photo Grant Courtney)


"What a ride she's taken the connections on," Lane said

"A $2,000 horse winning on Derby day at Flemington.

"It's been a great thrill for all involved and it's a privilege for me to be on her back today."

Lyuba advances her record to 6 wins and 7 seconds from 17 starts with earnings of $437,900.

"She's very honest, a couple o9f starts ago she ran poorly at Caulfield and she pulled up with a bit of a problem with her back leg.

"We got that sorted out and her last couple of runs have been terrific.

"She didn't cost a lot of money. The best part about buying these horses for not a lot of money is that you can put in a couple of mates and it doesn't cost a lot for them to go in it. If they are no good, which most of them are, they don't lose a lot of money.

"I was at the sales poking around out there at the back and she walked passed and caught my eye and didn't take much notice of the pedigree.

"This is one of the better stories."

Consigned by Swettenham Stud to the 2014 Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling sale, Lyuba was knocked down to Forest Lodge Racing for $2,000.

She is the first and only foal of the General Nediym mare Dancing With Amy who placed in three of her 11 race starts without breaking her maiden.

A half-sister to two winners, Dancing With Amy died in November 2013.

Lyuba becomes the third stakes winner for Blue Gum Farm's Turffontein who stands at a fee of $7,700 in 2017.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.