Lux Libertas sets sights on home-track feature
Paul Vettise - Raceform • February 12th, 2026 1:22 PM • 4 min read
Lux Libertas’ abundant mix of talent and versatility will give the five-year-old ample opportunities to build on her black-type record through her upcoming campaign.
The Almanzor mare will return to action over her pet distance of 1400 metres in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes on her home track at Matamata on Saturday.
She hasn’t raced since she won the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes at Trentham in December but has worked and trialled to the satisfaction of Wexford Stables ahead of her return.
“She had a trip away to Wellington and got a good result and we think this will be a nice lead-in to the fillies and mares’ races through the autumn,” said Andrew Scott, who trains the five-year-old with Lance O’Sullivan.
“She worked very well on Tuesday morning and has had a trial, so we’re expecting another competitive performance from her. She’s a very honest and reliable mare.”
Lux Libertas’ record emphasises that with six victories and five placings from 18 outings.
“She had quite a long preparation last time and then we popped her away for a good break and she’s had only the one run this season,” Scott said.
“Hopefully she has a good late summer and autumn prep. She is very versatile, she goes on any kind of ground, and the 1400 metres is the sweet spot for her.”
The stable will also hold a strong hand in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes with Dashing Dixie and Te Encuentro to go head-to-head.
The former won at the first time of asking at Te Rapa, and the daughter of Alabama Express then finished less than five lengths off the winner in the Karaka Millions.
“We thought Dashing Dixie was respectable in the Millions, she got back and was brave to the line and a smaller field will suit her, it won’t be so complicated,” Scott said. “She has gone the right way since, so we’re really pleased with her.”
Frankel filly Te Encuentro was impressive at the first time of asking at Ellerslie on Boxing Day when she came from the tail of the field to score over 1100 metres.
“We freshened her post her debut, and she is another who has trained well and we’re looking for some natural improvement with confidence under her belt,” Scott said.
“Both fillies are up to black type and hopefully they go close to it this weekend. They worked together on Tuesday and there was nothing between them.”
Wexford will also be double-handed in the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes with Checkmate and Sassy Lass engaged.
Checkmate was third in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile two runs back and suffered an interrupted run when fifth in the Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic.
“He’s race-fit and this is a good opportunity to get him out over ground, we expect him to stay and all of his runs this preparation have been good,” Scott said.
“He hasn’t had much good fortune in any of them, really, so if he gets a change of luck, we might get a change of result. He’s a fit gelding.”
Sassy Lass hasn’t troubled the scorer of late, but Scott wouldn’t be surprised to see her bounce back to her best.
“Two starts back, she was caught on the wrong side at Wellington on a day when you had to be out wide,” he said.
“Last start at Ellerslie she ran the quickest last 600 of the race after getting a long way out of her ground.
“She’s going better than it looks and any moisture will help her. There’s a good chance of some rain, so it wouldn’t surprise us if she turned her form around.”
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Big Saturday includes meetings at Matamata and Ascot Park. Race highlights are the Matamata Breeders Stakes and the Matamata Slipper.
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