Throwing Luana Miss into the deep end of a G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) is a gamble her connections will seriously consider in light of her win against the odds in the LR Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

The Placid Ark winner received a ballot-free entry into the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) worth $1.5 million on November 29.  But it’s been 50 years since a 3yo filly beat a field full of seasoned sprinters in the Winterbottom.  That was Belinda’s Star (Tudor Warning) in 1975 when she claimed the first of her two victories in Perth’s premier sprint.

Luana Miss overcame a checkered passage in transit to win the Placid Ark by a length from Sherpa Express (Blue Point) and Country God (Playing God).  Stewards reported she pulled hard through the early stages and was crowded and forced to ease approaching the 800m.  She was also held up from straightening until passing the 200m and returned to scale having cast her off-fore plate.

“It was horrendous,” winning jockey Shaun O’Donnell claimed.  “I was all over heels and blundered at the top of the straight.  That was a courageous effort and it was a phenomenal win.  If she pulls up alright, you would be mad not to have a crack at the Winterbottom.”

Luana Miss went out the $1.50 public-elect after a last-start victory in the Placid Ark Prelude.  She had won the LR Supremacy Stakes (1000m) at Ascot in March and her record now stands at 4 wins in 6 starts for earnings of $529,000.  Westspeed Platinum has tipped in bonuses of $69,000.

Luana Miss (3f Bivouac – Little Bit Ditsy by Bel Esprit) was bred by Darling View Thoroughbreds owner Clive Atwell and the Mundijong nursery kept a share after she made $110,000 to the bid of trainer Trevor Andrews at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Atwell bought her dam Little Bit Ditsy for $160,000 when she was carrying the Placid Ark winner at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.  The mare has a 2yo filly by Farnan and she foaled a Playing God filly in September.

Andrews was a relieved trainer when O’Donnell returned to scale on Luana Miss.  “She was in a good spot but had horses all round with nowhere to go.  Credit to Shaun, he persevered and she has an electric turn of foot.  She just keeps raising the bar and even a place at Group 1 level adds to her value.”