Masked Valentine makes a lonely trip to Benalla as the stable’s only runner on a Monday afternoon.
Race 4 – Masked Valentine
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
Barrier – 1
A heavy track welcomes the four-year-old son of Toronado that will look to improve on some plain performances in his short career to date. His last-start effort at Echuca showed some progression, steadily making ground from back in the field, and the stable are hopeful he can keep improving today. Mitch Aitken has a tricky ride from gate one but should naturally settle closer in the run and will look to use his mount’s race fitness to run out a strong 1400-metres. It appears a skinny race on paper, with Busuttin/Young runner, Reservoir Dog boasting some good trial form and looking the one to beat. Demon Award for team Corstons has been installed as race favourite and Mira Flores for the Payne stable has been competitive at both her starts.
From the trainer:
We’ve got some winkers on him to try and illicit some improvement.
On his first run and third run, he could be thereabouts today.
Currently, Masked Valentine is a $41 in the market.