LUMINEER
BOOM youngster Lumineer will be given a light week before connections make a decision on his next major target.
Fresh from his demolition of last night’s Ladbrokes Australian Pacing Gold Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle, Lumineer is resting in New South Wales today before embarking on the long trip back to trainer Ange McDowall’s Victorian property.
Once home the two-year-old will enjoy an easy time to recover from his triumphant campaign.
“He is having today off before we head home, where he will have a pretty easy week,” McDowall said. “He is not the kind of horse you can put in a paddock to rest as he is always on the go, but he won’t do much this week.
“When we are home I will see how he settles down and go from there.”
With the son of Sportswriter eligible for the New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge in June, a return trip across the Murray River is a likely scenario.
Lumineer is also eligible for the Australasian Breeders’ Crown at Melton in August.
“I won’t be making any plans until after we are home and settled,” McDowall said. “At this stage I’m not ruling anything out, but I’m not pencilling anything in either.”
As for his latest win, Lumineer led throughout from the pole to account for Stefsbest and Jilliby Lorenzo in 1:54.4 over a mile with Jason Lee holding the reins.
“I was nervous and stressed before the race as it’s a big thing for me and my family,” McDowall said. “It was the first time we’ve had a horse in a Group One and you just don’t know how things are going to turn out.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to win such a big race, but it’s back down to earth cleaning out boxes this morning.”
A $30,000 purchase at the Melbourne APG Sale, Lumineer is owned by the McDowall family under the BLG Racing Group, which consists of the trainer’s parents Brian and Louise and their Girls – six daughters!
Unbeaten from five starts, the colt boasts a bankroll of $177,980.
