By Brian Sheerin
Natalia Lupini may only have a string of 16 horses in her Gilford yard in County Down but the Milan native is hoping to make a major impact on Longines Irish Champions Weekend.
This season has been Lupini's best yet. She has sent out nine winners, four of which have been recorded by Dunum (Ire) (Ivawood {Ire}), who failed to get into Saturday's “Sovereign Path” H. at Leopardstown.
However, the trainer is still hoping to be represented in the race by yard favourite and seven-time winner Blairmayne (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), who will need a bit of luck to get in as a second reserve.
Highly Desirable (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}) will definitely run in the Ingabelle S. on Saturday and, while she is expected to go off at massive odds, Lupini thinks the filly runs on merit.
The trainer said, “She hasn't run on soft ground but she should handle it being out of a Dark Angel (Ire) mare. She's working well and is in good form so it would be nice to see her run a big race.”
Lupini added, “We only have 16 horses in training and have a few yearlings to bring in over the winter. We're looking forward to turning a few horses around and hopefully there'll be some stars in there.
“It's a great satisfaction to have runners on Irish Champions Weekend. Training in Ireland is very competitive and we always try to have quality over lots of numbers and it's great when it works out.”
Blairmayne has done his bit to put the Lupini stable on the map. The hard-knocking 9-year-old has been rejuvenated since being upped in trip and Lupini could also see him out-running his odds if he gets a run on Saturday.
She explained, “Unfortunately Dunum didn't get into the “Sovereign Path” H. at Leopardstown but we're hoping Blairmayne might sneak in. He's the second reserve at the moment and, while he's getting a little bit older and wasn't really enjoying running over six furlongs, he's done well since we upped him to seven furlongs.
“Especially in those big sprints where they go quick, he wasn't enjoying it, but he ran a cracking racing to finish second in a premier handicap over seven furlongs at Cork earlier in the year. He's been a great horse to have in the yard and, seven furlongs around Leopardstown should suit him well, so hopefully he will get in.”
Along with the handicappers, Lupini has unleashed a steady flow of juvenile talent this season, none more promising than Arinniti (Fr) (Karakontie {Jpn}). After posting a smart debut effort to finish sixth for the trainer at Naas in June, Arinniti was sold to Team Valor to continue her career for Paddy Twomey, for whom she finished second at Navan last weekend.
Lupini is convinced that Arinniti can carve out an exciting career for her new connections and has described adding a commercial string to her training bow as hugely beneficial to the progress of the stable.
She said, “Arinniti was a good filly for us. She ran a nice race on debut for Paddy Twomey at Navan where she looked to get a little tired on the softer ground. We always thought she was smart and there's no doubt that she is in good hands and should be able to progress into a listed-class filly at least for her new connections.”
Lupini added, “We're always searching for the quality horse and, when it works out, it's brilliant. This is the first year that we tried to sell horses with form and it has worked out great. We put our heads together and decided that, along with the handicappers, we'd try and run a few younger horses in maidens and try to get them sold.
“Obviously Arinniti worked out well and there are a few more coming through. You need something to sell to try and keep the yard going and it has given us great satisfaction with how it has worked out. You need days like that to go on in this game.”
A winner on Irish Champions Weekend would add to the satisfaction.
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