Luvbite strikes in upset win

Well travelled gelding Luvbite (Betting Line) caused a boilover when in the very last stride he snatched victory in the Pace with Mates Open Pace at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Friendless in the betting despite his favourable pole position driver Layne Dwyer was content to let Grant Dixon on the hot favourite Tims A Trooper who was drawn next to him to stroll to the lead.

LUVBITE APR 26 REPLAY

Second favourite Manila Playboy was in the second half of the field one out. Braedos Lad went around the field to race outside the leader and he put some pressure on Tims A Trooper in the final lap. Manila Playboy was starting to wind up three wide in the back straight. In the meantime Luvbite was straining looking for a run and he took the inside lane in the home straight.

In a thrilling finish Luvbite edged out Tims A Trooper by a short half head with Manila Playboy a metre away third.

Luvbite is a real favourite at Dwyer’s Kingslodge stables. Since he joined them in early July 2023, he had 26 starts the remainder of 2023,  50 starts in 2024 and already he’s raced on 16 occasions in this year alone.

Layne Dwyer was full of praise for Luvbite.

“It’s pretty exciting. We beat some nice horses there. I couldn’t think of a better horse to do it on. He’s just a little champion and he keeps getting better and better.

Luvbite thrives on steady racing.

Dwyer added “if you gave him a spell he’d be pretty upset. He just loves it and he’d be at the gate every morning pawing at the gate waiting to get out.”

“He’s been a great horse to me. We’ve won a fair few races on him and just to get an open company race on him was very special.”

“We’ll just keep sending him around. He’ll pick up a cheque when it’s his turn and maybe win one again when its his turn. He never puts in a bad run. He’s one of the most consistent horses that I’ve ever had anything to do with.”

And on the strength of his performance he won’t be at such luxury odds in his next appearance.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink