There was plenty of hype surrounding Valentine at Matamata on Wednesday, with the three-year-old gelding backed into $2.30 favouritism for the Clothier Farms (1200m), and he duly delivered.
The son of Turn Me Loose jumped well and took an early lead for jockey Opie Bosson, and was kept honest throughout by the Phillip Stevens-trained Silkdegrees.
Valentine was headed by his foe at the top of the straight but fought back and was too strong in the concluding stages, winning by 1-3/4 lengths over Fonsi, with a further short neck back to Sonnet in third.
“He’s still learning and has quite a high knee action that may be suited by a bit more give in the ground, but it was good win,” Bosson said.
Racing in the colours of breeder Windsor Park Stud, Valentine has now won one and placed in two of his four starts and co-trainer Mark Walker believes there is plenty of excitement to come with the gelding.
“He’s a nice progressive sort of horse and has plenty of size and scope,” said Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson.
“He was softened up in front and had to show ability to win like he did. “He’ll keep improving with time, still being quite raw boned, so he’s got good improvement to come.”
