Bunbury Cup Talk: Reborn stallion can make a splash

His name is Lovre and he is six years old, but a glance at his form would suggest otherwise —three, or four maybe.

Picture by David Bailey: Track rider Chelsee Markham takes comeback stallion Lovre for a splash this week.

The stallion’s career, which began in 2008, has been curtailed by injury.

He has just 19 career starts and three wins heading into today’s XXXX Gold Bunbury Cup (2200m), but trainer Matt Daqui says the lightly-raced galloper has what it takes to cause a major boilover in the $110,000 feature.

Daqui, who added Lovre to his small team from the North Dandalup stables of Gavin Slater last August, said crippling leg injuries pushed the stayer to the brink of retirement.

Now in Bunbury, regular wading at Stratham Beach and close monitoring of his work load has breathed new life into the stallion’s career.

‘‘Beach work has rejuvenated him, and given him a fresh lease on life, especially for those legs, that have had a lot of wear and tear,’’ Daqui said.

‘‘He just loves the water. He comes down every day.’’

Lovre, who is owned by Daqui, Rocco Versaci, West Coast Eagles’ great Peter Sumich and his father Laurie, started as a $51 outsider when Player markets opened on Tuesday.

He will jump from blue-chip barrier two today with experienced hoop Clint Harvey on board.

Lovre has two firsts, a second and three fourths from eight starts this time out in what Daqui described as promising preparation.

Such was the early success of his campaign, the rejuvenated galloper was in December staring at an unlikely Perth Cup berth, before falling at the final hurdle ahead of the feature, when last of seven behind eventual champion Western Jewel in the ATA Handicap.

After jumping from gate four in the $50,000 AHA Cup earlier this month — a traditional Bunbury Cup crystal ball — Lovre raced wide throughout before finishing ninth of 12.

‘‘His last run (the AHA Cup) doesn’t look that good on paper, but it’s better than what it looks,’’ Daqui said.

‘‘He didn’t really have much luck. If you go on his previous starts, he’s in with an each way chance.’’

Today’s race is Daqui’s third attempt at a Bunbury Cup, after Oceans Twelve and Night Rider.