The promising filly Luberon, trained by Lance Noble and sired by Embellish, showcased her potential for an upcoming trip to Christchurch later in the spring.
Luberon, in her three-year-old campaign, had previously won comfortably at Te Rapa over 1200m and continued her winning form over a longer distance in a 1400m contest.
Jockey Warren Kennedy settled Luberon outside the pacemaker, Tears Of Victory. She made her move around the home bend and pulled ahead, ultimately securing a comprehensive victory.
Despite displaying some greenness in the final 200m, Luberon held off late challenges from Loch Katrine and Tulsi, who finished in the minor placings.
Trainer Lance Noble acknowledged Luberon's slight inexperience, saying, “She wants a little more practice left-handed as it was only her second start going that way around. She came around the corner a bit green and was out on her own for a fair way, while she was also getting a little tired near the end. I think there is a lot of improvement to come.”
Noble revealed that Luberon would have one more start in the north before heading to Riccarton, where she had nominations for both the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and the Group 1 Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
Kennedy, the jockey, also commented on Luberon's performance, saying, “She is still learning about left-handed racing and just needs some practice. Lance is doing the right thing giving her the practice, and it will stand her in good stead when she goes to those bigger races down south.”
Following Luberon's impressive victory, online bookmakers adjusted her odds, moving her from +2500 to +400 in the Fixed Odds market for the 1000 Guineas, where she now shares favouritism with Molly Bloom.
Luberon is bred and owned by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud. She is the second foal of Fastnet Rock mare Elegant Achiever and comes from a family with a history of European stakes performers, including Industrialist, the champion middle-distance performer for the 1999-2000 season in Hong Kong.
In a successful day for trainer Lance Noble, Iffin Doubt Dance, ridden by Kennedy, also claimed victory in the third race on the card.