Levendi has won today's first race at Flemington — the 1,600 Carbine Club Stakes.
The three-year-old colt won from Sambro and Irish Vega.
More than 90,000 people are expected to attend Flemington today, as Derby Day kicks off the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Three-year-old colt Ace High is the favourite to win the Victoria Derby.
In the Group Three Skip Sprint, Lyuba graduated to stakes company with a narrow victory.
The $2000 yearling purchase took her prize money past the $400,000 mark with the win over 1,100m.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Lyuba ($7) scored a short-half-head win over Savanna Amour ($12) with Concealer ($12) the same margin away third.
Trainer Darren Weir said he snapped up the now five-year-old after noticing her at a 2014 Victorian yearling sale.
"I was … poking around out the back and she caught my eye," he said.
"I didn't take much notice of the pedigree and I bought her for $2,000.
"This is one of the better stories. Don't worry, I buy a lot for $2,000 that are no good."
Sargent has Oaks in his sights
John Sargent has another Oaks in his sights after Luvaluva gave the trainer his third Wakeful Stakes win in five years at Flemington.
Sargent won the 2013 Group Two Wakeful (2,000m) with Kirramosa, five days before that filly won the VRC Oaks (2,500m).
He added another Wakeful a year later with Thunder Lady who then finished second in the Oaks.
Thunder Lady was ridden to her Wakeful win by Blake Shinn who was also aboard Luvaluva in Saturday's race for fillies and earned high praise, steering the three-year-old to a last-to-first victory.
"Blake's on fire at the moment," Sargent said.
"I said we'd probably have to go back and I just left it to him.
