2025 Railway Stakes plans for promising Luvnwar

Exciting mare Luvnwar has wrapped up her winter campaign in style, taking out the Hygain Handicap (1400m) at Pinjarra with a determined late burst to remain unbeaten this prep.

Sent out as the $1.60 favourite with TAB Touch, the Michael Grantham-trained four-year-old powered through the pack under jockey Clint Johnston-Porter to down Speed Demon in the final stride.

With two wins from two starts this campaign, Luvnwar now heads for a spell with her connections locking in an ambitious target – the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.

“She’s got so much potential,” Liam Peters told Tabradio. “Michael’s done a terrific job with her and everything has gone smoothly this prep.”

Peters said dropping back to mares’ grade is a fallback option but they believe the mile suits her ideally and will focus on open Group 1 company for the spring.

“She’s definitely matured,” he said. “Mentally and physically she’s in a much better place than last prep.”

Luvnwar’s last campaign included a runner-up finish in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) before she lost her way slightly in the Peters’ Classic and Jungle Dawn Classic.

This time around, the daughter of War Decree has looked every bit a serious black-type mare, with her record now standing at five wins and four placings from 12 starts, and earnings just under $300,000.

She will return to training later in the year with the aim of peaking during Perth’s elite summer racing period.