Horse of the Week: Lucia Valentina

Published: 12 Apr 2016

Queen of the track - Lucia Valentina coming back to scale after winning the Queen Elizabeth

Damien Oliver was worried on the turn as he rode LUCIA VALENTINA into 'dead-ends' at the back of the Queen Elizabeth pack. The mare had been out-sped in the early stages of the race and only looked a winning chance 300 metres from home.

It was at that stage Oliver found the back of favourite THE UNITED STATES before he edged wider again to the outside. She quickly clicked into gear and we all know what happened next!

It was a performance worthy of Horse of the Week.

Breeding

Sired by Savabeel, from Staryn Glenn (Sire of Dam Montjeu)

Type

Five year old brown Mare born 8/11/2010

Features

Genuine, Reliable & Can Quicken

Weaknesses

Lacks Early Speed

Record

7 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds from 25 starts. Total Prize-money of $4,197,303

Career Wins

09/4/16 – Longines Queen Elizabeth Stks (G1) at Randwick over 2000m – Jockey D Oliver
07/11/15 – Presto Matriarch Stakes (G2) at Flemington over 2000m – Jockey D Oliver
04/10/14 – Turnbull Stakes (G1) at Flemington over 2000m – Jockey K Mcevoy
06/9/14 – Tatt’s Club Tramway Stakes (G2) at Randwick over 1400m – Jockey K Mcevoy
05/4/14 - Vinery Stud Stakes (G1) at Rosehill over 2000m – Jockey J Bowman
29/11/13 – Ekraar@linwood Wellington Stks (G3) at Otaki over 1600m – Jockey L G Innes
18/10/13 – Tauranga Xmas Races Mdn at Tauranga over 1200m – Jockey M J Dee

Quick Facts

Purchased at the 2012 NZB Premier Yearling Sale for $60,000.00 by Bruce Perry Bloodstock Ltd
Kris Lees was going to buy her at the sales until Bruce Perry convinced him not to under the promise Lees would get LUCIA VALENTINA to train
Lees went on to buy another Savabeel filly that turned out to be "no good"!
Owner Lib Petagna scored a double on the day with filly SOFIA ROSA also winning the $1m Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks
Trainer Kris Lees has convinced the owners to keep racing her into the Spring, with the Cox Plate and Mackinnon likely targets
She had never placed second-up before winning the Queen Elizabeth, keeping her fresh and stepping straight to the 2,000 metres was a master stroke
Only a small mare, she relishes soft conditions like on Saturday

She's all heart - Lucia Valentina isn't the biggest in the yard, but she's one of the bravest