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.

Wee Nessy breaks her maiden in style

Savabeel’s three-year-old filly Wee Nessy impressed at Ellerslie, charging home to break her maiden in dominant fashion. The win marked Savabeel’s 1057th individual winner, with his progeny earnings surpassing $208 million as his legacy continues to grow.

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