Valley Girl
Trish Dunell
The Hawkins family's faith in their trainers gained the ultimate reward at Te Rapa where youthful exuberance triumphed over a pair of seasoned Group One campaigners.
WATCH: Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes
WATCH: Lisa Allpress post-race
The Wentwood Grange owner-operators left the decision to run their three-year-old Valley Girl against the older horses in Saturday's Herbie Dyke Stakes in the hands of Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs.
Only four nominations were initially received for the weight-for-age contest and the Ruakaka conditioners decided the 2000 metre contest was a more favourable option over next weekend's Gr.2 Auckland Eye Avondale Guineas.
"It's a huge win, we're absolutely thrilled," Dean Hawkins said. "Donna rang and said what do you think about running and we just said it's your call. It's been a great team effort and everybody has done their jobs."
Logan said the Avondale Guineas promised to also be a strong line-up and, with a Gr.1 BMW New Zealand Derby start already assured, they opted to take an early crack at the highest level.
It proved to be an inspired move and Valley Girl is now an equal $7 favourite with Get That Jive for next month's Ellerslie classic.
Valley Girl settled midfield on the fence before rider Lisa Allpress moved away from the rail and they came with an undeniable finish to relegate Stolen Dance to her third consecutive Group One second placing.
"At the half mile she was really flat and I was working on her and at the 600 when the pressure went on she kept finding," Allpress said.
The favourite Kawi ran home gamely for third without threatening while last year's winner Soriano was unable to produce a fairy tale ending to her career.
The in-foal mare finished sixth to bring the curtain down on her racing days and the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained six-year-old retires as the winner of nine races, including two Group One victories and more than $900,000 in stake earnings for owner Denise Howell. – NZ Racing Desk.
WATCH: Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes
WATCH: Lisa Allpress post-race
The Wentwood Grange owner-operators left the decision to run their three-year-old Valley Girl against the older horses in Saturday's Herbie Dyke Stakes in the hands of Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs.
Only four nominations were initially received for the weight-for-age contest and the Ruakaka conditioners decided the 2000 metre contest was a more favourable option over next weekend's Gr.2 Auckland Eye Avondale Guineas.
"It's a huge win, we're absolutely thrilled," Dean Hawkins said. "Donna rang and said what do you think about running and we just said it's your call. It's been a great team effort and everybody has done their jobs."
Logan said the Avondale Guineas promised to also be a strong line-up and, with a Gr.1 BMW New Zealand Derby start already assured, they opted to take an early crack at the highest level.
It proved to be an inspired move and Valley Girl is now an equal $7 favourite with Get That Jive for next month's Ellerslie classic.
Valley Girl settled midfield on the fence before rider Lisa Allpress moved away from the rail and they came with an undeniable finish to relegate Stolen Dance to her third consecutive Group One second placing.
"At the half mile she was really flat and I was working on her and at the 600 when the pressure went on she kept finding," Allpress said.
The favourite Kawi ran home gamely for third without threatening while last year's winner Soriano was unable to produce a fairy tale ending to her career.
The in-foal mare finished sixth to bring the curtain down on her racing days and the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained six-year-old retires as the winner of nine races, including two Group One victories and more than $900,000 in stake earnings for owner Denise Howell. – NZ Racing Desk.