Lucia Valentina
Classy mare Lucia Valentina's (NZ) (Savabeel) Queen Elizabeth Stakes mission is up and running with the Newcastle-trained mare to contest a barrier trial at Wyong next Wednesday.
Trainer Kris Lees is delighted with Lucia Valentina's progress since returning from a break after her Hong Kong sojourn.
"She has been back in the stables for a few weeks now, and is coming along nicely," Lees said.
"Obviously, she has residual fitness on her side, having had only a short break since coming home from Hong Kong."
Lucia Valentina ran a splendid fifth – making up considerable ground – behind Japanese record-breaker A Shin Hakari in the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at the International meeting at Sha Tin on December 13.
She then spent a fortnight in quarantine in Hong Kong and another fortnight at the Werribee Quarantine Centre after returning to Australia.
She then went to Lees Racing's Ellalong Farm in the Hunter Valley where she exercised on the water walker before returning to Broadmeadow last month.
Lees is keen to give Lucia Valentina another shot at The Championships' headline act – the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 9.
She made a wide run from back at the 800m and kept coming to the line when sixth to Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) in last year's race.
At this stage, she is likely to have one lead-up in the $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 19 but Lees also has nominated Lucia Valentina for the $3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 2 as a precautionary measure.
"After next week's Wyong trial I will probably look to give her an exhibition gallop leading into the George Ryder," Lees said. –racingandsports.com.au
Trainer Kris Lees is delighted with Lucia Valentina's progress since returning from a break after her Hong Kong sojourn.
"She has been back in the stables for a few weeks now, and is coming along nicely," Lees said.
"Obviously, she has residual fitness on her side, having had only a short break since coming home from Hong Kong."
Lucia Valentina ran a splendid fifth – making up considerable ground – behind Japanese record-breaker A Shin Hakari in the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at the International meeting at Sha Tin on December 13.
She then spent a fortnight in quarantine in Hong Kong and another fortnight at the Werribee Quarantine Centre after returning to Australia.
She then went to Lees Racing's Ellalong Farm in the Hunter Valley where she exercised on the water walker before returning to Broadmeadow last month.
Lees is keen to give Lucia Valentina another shot at The Championships' headline act – the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 9.
She made a wide run from back at the 800m and kept coming to the line when sixth to Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) in last year's race.
At this stage, she is likely to have one lead-up in the $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 19 but Lees also has nominated Lucia Valentina for the $3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 2 as a precautionary measure.
"After next week's Wyong trial I will probably look to give her an exhibition gallop leading into the George Ryder," Lees said. –racingandsports.com.au