If Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup win was special for trainer, jockey and connections of outsider, Knight’s Choice, then Sharon Hahne might be able to top those celebrations if Luverboy can win Thursday’s United Petroleum Yarra Valley Pacing Cup Final.
“It’ll be like winning the Melbourne Cup, but nowhere near that. That’s the sort of thing it is like for us,” Hahne said.
“I have never won and I have never had a horse that was good enough to get into a cup. It’s a big thrill for us as little trainers and owners.”
The Wangaratta South horsewoman has been happy with the progress of the winner of six races from 70 starts.
“He has been working well at home, he is a nice honest old horse,” she said. “ His form might not look that good, but if you watch all his replays he has had some pretty good efforts.
“He has been locked in and couldn’t get out. Kate (Gath) drove him last time at Yarra Valley and he put in an enormous effort last time to come from nowhere.”
Luverboy finished second in the October 29 heat to qualify for Thursday’s final.
“He put in a great effort in the heat and if he is a honest horse and he has drawn well,” she said. “He has always drawn six or seven and has been stuck on the back.”
Michael Bellman is set to pilot the eight-year-old from gate one for the $10,000 event.
“He has got a nice draw so even if he gets a nice sit behind something. I reckon there will be a bit of pace in the race with a couple of smart horses in it,” she said.
The squaregaiting feature on the card is the De Bortoli Yarra Valley Trotting Cup Final. The Adam Rudd-trained Bennie And The Jets will likely start favourite with the Denis Grieve-prepared Nellie Joy to start from one.
