3 minute read

Quality mare Lucia Valentina will trial again before she resumes at Randwick next month in the $175,000 Tramway Stakes at Randwick.

Trainer Kris Lees is following a similar early spring preparation with the New Zealand-owned mare, who was given a very quiet trial at Gosford on Monday.

Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Lucia Valentina finished sixth of seven in an 800m trial, won by more than 11 lengths by tearaway leader I’m Usain in 48.09secs, easily the fastest of 11 heats over that distance.

“Lucia Valentina had an easy day out,” Lees said. “I will trial her again at Broadmeadow on August 24 before she resumes in the Tramway.”

Lucia Valentina will be after her second successive win in the G2 Tramway (1400m) at Randwick on September 5.

It is important to note that Lees also trialled Lucia Valentina twice last year before she won the Tramway. She finished fifth and fourth respectively in those trials.

Run under set weight and penalties conditions, Lucia Valentina – as a dual G1 winner – will carry 57kg. Last year she carried 56kg when she overwhelmed Tiger Tees and Toydini on a wet track to score first-up.

Lucia Valentina won the 2014 G1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and last spring captured the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, earning her the extra 1kg in this year’s Tramway.

Lucia Valentina subsequently ran third in last year’s Caulfield Cup (2400m) before failing in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) but this spring her goal will be the $3 million WS Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24.

Stablemate Protectionist, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, will also trial at Broadmeadow on August 24.

He is likely to resume at the same Randwick meeting on September 5 in the $175,000 G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).

Another stablemate Magic Of Dreams ran second to Salerno in a 800m trial at Gosford on Monday.

She won a heat of The Championships Provincial Series at Broadmeadow in March and was spelled after finishing sixth to Sure And Fast in the $300,000 final at Randwick on April 11.