Luv the Nightlife gains automatic NSW Oaks entry

Unbeaten Victorian filly Luv the Nightlife (Poster Boy) scored a narrow but impressive harness racing win in the $30,600 Listed Golden Easter Egg Stakes at Menangle Park on Saturday night.

The race was considered to be a three way contest between Luv The Nightlife, Gunna Reload and Sugar Pie Honey. Luv The Nightlife was heavily backed into favourite despite having had two previous appearances and not as race experienced as her two main rivals.

LUV THE NIGHTLIFE APR 12 REPLAY

In an intriguing race Will Rixon on Gunna Reload had no hesitation in holding the early lead while Ashleigh Delosa on Sugar Pie Honey was caught wide due to her barrier and she moved up alongside Gunna Reload. Luke McCarthy  who was substituting for the suspended Cameron Hart on Luv The Nightlife angled back to take a trail behind the leader but in the early stages of the event she tended to race ungenerously.

However Sugar Pie Honey appeared to over race and a critical point of the event occurred at the 900 metre mark when Rixon on Gunna Reload allowed Sugar Pie Honey to take up the running. This meant that Luv The Nightlife was three back but McCarthy angled her ff the rails in pursuit of the leader.

Sugar Pie Honey  dug in and showed plenty of fight but Luv The Nightlife despite hanging in was able to overhaul the leader to win by a head from Sugar Pie Honey with Gunna Reload seven metres away in third.

The win showed that Luv The Nightlife despite being less experienced has a lot of class and in gaining automatic entry into the $200,000 Group 1 New South Wales Oaks on 10 May has now stamped herself as one of the main favourites for the coveted classic and give Emma Stewart yet another youngsters classics.

Had Sugar Pie Honey not over raced she may well have won the event and could find the 2400 metres of the Oaks a testing assignment unless she races more kindly.

Gunna Reload showed that at Bathurst in winning the Gold Bracelet she has a devastating sprint when held up and she may be better suited with a sit and sprint should she make the Oaks final.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink