Valley Girl
Trish Dunell
Chris Gibbs might have a future as a tipster if he ever decides on a change from training thoroughbreds.
Pre-race, the Ruakaka horseman had favoured Valley Girl's chances over stablemate and favourite Hasselhoof in their home track clash in Saturday's Harcourts Optimize Group Open and he was right on the money.
Last season's Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes winner opened her four-year-old campaign in grand style with a comfortable victory ahead of a game Biggin Hill and Hasselhoof.
"She was a touch more forward than Hasselhoof and she will still take heaps of improvement out of that," said Gibbs, who prepares the pair with Donna Logan.
"That was just outstanding and she's come back bigger and stronger. We'll go to the Makfi now and we could well be off to Australia after that."
Valley Girl was able to sit near the pace on Saturday and she finished off strongly under Danielle Johnson in the run home.
"That was a super effort and with the ability she's got she was able to sprint well fresh," she said.
Gibbs was also more than satisfied with the performance of Hasselhoof, even though he was beaten for the first time in seven New Zealand appearances.
"It was a hack canter early and they sprinted off the top so to finish as close as he did was a good effort – I'm very happy with the way he's coming up," rider Matt Cameron said.
Another satisfied party was Te Rapa trainer David Greene, whose charge Stolen Dance finished fourth.
"She had 60kg and was down in the worst part of the track," he said "She will be a lot better off at the weights in the Makfi." – NZ Racing Desk.
Pre-race, the Ruakaka horseman had favoured Valley Girl's chances over stablemate and favourite Hasselhoof in their home track clash in Saturday's Harcourts Optimize Group Open and he was right on the money.
Last season's Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes winner opened her four-year-old campaign in grand style with a comfortable victory ahead of a game Biggin Hill and Hasselhoof.
"She was a touch more forward than Hasselhoof and she will still take heaps of improvement out of that," said Gibbs, who prepares the pair with Donna Logan.
"That was just outstanding and she's come back bigger and stronger. We'll go to the Makfi now and we could well be off to Australia after that."
Valley Girl was able to sit near the pace on Saturday and she finished off strongly under Danielle Johnson in the run home.
"That was a super effort and with the ability she's got she was able to sprint well fresh," she said.
Gibbs was also more than satisfied with the performance of Hasselhoof, even though he was beaten for the first time in seven New Zealand appearances.
"It was a hack canter early and they sprinted off the top so to finish as close as he did was a good effort – I'm very happy with the way he's coming up," rider Matt Cameron said.
Another satisfied party was Te Rapa trainer David Greene, whose charge Stolen Dance finished fourth.
"She had 60kg and was down in the worst part of the track," he said "She will be a lot better off at the weights in the Makfi." – NZ Racing Desk.