Lopov Strikes at The Valley

2 July 2011

Savabeel’s son Lopov showed he was a horse to follow with a stylish victory at the Melbourne track today.

The son of the G1 Cox Plate winner is building a strong staying record with a win and two placings since taking his chances over ground.

Trained by Danny O’Brien, Lopov was given the perfect run by apprentice Brent Evans on Saturday and took control of the race on the home turn. The three-year-old held a strong gallop to the finish to deny the favourite You Think So and post his third success from 14 appearances.

The gelding was bought by O’Brien from WS’s 2009 Karaka draft for $25,000 and is out of the Gr 2 performed mare Prickle, a daughter of Pins who won three races and is a sister to the well-performed Sydney stayer Legsman (Listed Winter Cup). Their dam Snobbish (Centaine) is a full-sister to the multiple Gr 1 winner Slight Chance.

Ocean Park’s With Grace seals NZ Cup berth

South Auckland mare With Grace secured her berth in next month’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton when extending her winning sequence to four with victory in the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway 2100 at Te Rapa on Labour Day Monday.

27 October 2026

Bonecrusher Stakes next for Justin Case

Trainer Kris Shailer has confirmed that his exciting three-year-old Justin Case will bypass next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in favour of stakes targets closer to home.