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.

Trans-Tasman stakes double for Sav

Savabeel reaffirmed his remarkable longevity and influence with a commanding trans-Tasman stakes double, as Force Of Nature claimed the Legacy Lodge Sprint and Captain Pluto powered home in the Luckygray Stakes, further cementing the NZ Hall of Fame stallion’s enduring impact across Australasian racing.

8 November 2025

Noverre’s sibling salutes at Pukekohe

The Waikato Stud colours were out in force on Saturday, 8 November, and Magice (ex Magic Dancer) continued a wonderful day for Garry Chittick, who bred and races the son of Savabeel and is the full brother to first-season sire Noverre.