Cassidy booked for Lucia Valentina

24 March 2015

Lucia Valentina will have a new rider if, as expected, she backs up in Saturday’s $A1.5 million Gr.1 BMW Stakes at Rosehill.

“Jim Cassidy will be on her with Hugh Bowman suspended,” said Bruce Perry, racing manager for the mare’s owner Lib Petagna.

The Kris Lees-prepared Lucia Valentina finished third behind the Irish-bred Contributor and he Japanese visitor Tosen Stardom in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes last weekend.

“She came through the race very well and as long as she’s 100 per cent she’ll run again,” Perry said. “She’s backed up before without a problem.”

Meanwhile, the Petagna-owned Dal Cielo travelled without incident on Monday to Sydney in preparation for the $A1 million ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes on April 4.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.