Kiwi horses dominated the race with Lucia Valentina beating Group 1 winning sprinter Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi) into second and Donna Logan's Group 1 Australian Oaks victor Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar) just missing out on third placing by a neck.
"She was very impressive," commented trainer Kris Lees. "She had given the indication she had come up really well but you don't know until you see them raceday."
The Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes winner of last season was meant to have resumed two weeks earlier but wet tracks prevented her. The track was rated a Heavy 9 on Saturday but Lees couldn't delay the Savabeel mare's return any longer.
"We had to go to the races, we were running out of time," said Lees. "Being a lighter framed filly I had no concerns about missing one run but she had to race Saturday.
"She now has to do something similar on dry ground, which I have no doubt she will, and she could be in for a good preparation.
"Her next run will be the George Main Stakes, a Group 1 weight-for-age race at Randwick in two weeks. After that, possibly the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and then we will decide whether she is up to a Caulfield Cup or not.
"As an older horse she has to prove herself over ground, when they show brilliance first up you wonder if they can reproduce that over 2400m but I feel that she will."
Saturday's win was Lucia Valentina's fourth from 10 starts having started her career in New Zealand with Stephen Marsh. Along with her Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes victory and Saturday's Group 2 win, she is also the winner of the Group 3 Wellington Stakes. She has earned A$523,095 in prizemoney for owner Lib Patenga of JML Bloodstock.
It was a highly successful day for Patenga with his colours also carried to victory in Melbourne by Atlante (Fastnet Rock) in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes. To view the full article on Atlante, click here.
"Hopefully that is just the start," commented Bruce Perry, Bloodstock Agent for JML Bloodstock. "You don't replicate those days too often, you dream about them but they very rarely happen."
Bred by Graham & Helen-Gaye Bax of Blandford Lodge, Lucia Valentina is out of Montjeu mare Staryn Glenn who is also the dam of Group 3 winner Malandrino (Darci Brahma). Staryn Glenn is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Silky Red Boxer (Casual Lies).
Bruce Perry purchased Lucia Valentina for NZ$60,000 at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale from Blandford Lodge, Perry also purchased Atlante from the 2012 Ready to Run Sale for Patenga.
The first race on the card at Randwick was won by kiwi galloper Foreign Prince (NZ) (High Chaparral), also a graduate of the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale.
NZB Release
