Lucia Valentina on target

20 March 2015

Improvement is expected from the New Zealand-bred and owned mare Lucia Valentina in Saturday’s $A500,000 Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill.

The dual Group One winner was a strong first-up fourth for trainer Kris Lees in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes before finishing midfield in the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes last time out.

“She has come on a lot and hopefully she’s over the second-up blues,” said Bruce Perry, who manages owner Lib Petagna’s bloodstock interests. “I know Kris is pretty excited about her.”

Petagna is also a part-owner of the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Maygrove, who will continue his build-up toward the Sydney Cup in the $A150,000 Gr.3 Mannion Cup. He was an encouraging fourth in his Australian debut.

“His last run was really good and he ran a pretty quick last 400,” Perry said. “There’s a lot of improvement in him,” Perry said.

Olivia Blane honoured at Industry Excellence Awards

We’re proud to share that our very own Olivia Blane was named the winner of the Stud, Stable & Kennel Excellence category at the Industry Excellence Awards, powered by Entain. As Waikato Stud’s Yearling Manager, Olivia leads our yearling preparation team and oversees the preparation of nearly 100 yearlings for public auction each season.

29 June 2025

Knocks it out of the Park with a metro double across the Ocean

Proven sire Ocean Park struck again with a metro double in Australia on Saturday, 28 June, led by Misterkipchoge and Arcadia Park. A multiple Group 1 winner himself, Ocean Park continues to deliver high-class progeny including Tofane, Kolding, Kovalica and VRC Oaks placegetter Powers Of Opal.