Trainer Mick Price has revealed that the Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday and the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day have always been the major targets for classy mare Loveyamadly.

Loveyamadly is chasing her second victory at Listed level in the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Loveyamadly performed impressively during her autumn campaign earlier this year, finishing second in the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield before winning the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, but Price elected not to give the five-year-old a 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.

Price told TVN he does not believe Loveyamadly is good enough to be a contender at group level during the spring but is confident that she add to her tally of black type victories at Caulfield in the next fortnight.

“The spring is not her, she is not good enough so we have set her for the lesser black type races like tomorrow and the Christmas Stakes,” Price said.

“She has had a long time out, but she has been set for this.

“She is pretty fit, she has drawn a good gate and she is tough, too.”

Punters agree with Price’s assessment of the talented mare and she is a clear favourite in Doveton Stakes betting markets at a price of $3.90.

There is no doubt that Loveyamadly has plenty of talent and a strong first-up record but she won’t have it all her own way against a strong field in the Doveton Stakes; with Brian Cox-trained Sumakaray well-backed to return to the winners stall.

Sumakaray started her campaign with a strong win in the Weary Dunlop Handicap (1206m) at Benalla on October 6 and finished second behind Queensland mare Liesele in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on October 19.

The daughter of Manner Hill stepped to Group level for the first time in the Group 3 Mumm Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on November 7 and was far from disgraced, finishing fourth behind Dystopia, Shamal Wind and She Can Skate, before finishing third in the Best Tote Plus Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on November 23.

The Doveton Stakes is a very competitive betting race and you can find the best price at Ladbrokes.com.au.

New punters this weekend will receive a free bet worth up to $250 that can be used to back Loveyamadly or any other horse this weekend!