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.

Saltcoats stakes his claim for Premier’s Cup glory

Saltcoats (Ardrossan) stormed to a 2.33-length win in the rescheduled $160,000 Premier’s Cup Prelude, setting up a possible tilt at the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup later this month.

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