After breaking her maiden at start four last start, it didn’t take Valentino’s On long to return to the winner’s circle after she won again impressively after taking out the Sportsbet Take A Sec Before You Bet BM58 at Ballarat today.
It was the last synthetic meeting of the season on what was the last day of winter and there was certainly a chill factor in the air as jockey Ben Allen rode ice cold to stalk the leaders and pounce in the home straight, grinding away for another victory.
Bred and owned by New Zealand’s premier stud farm in Waikato Stud, their patience is being rewarded in their daughter of Cox Plate champion Savabeel, with plenty of scope for the lightly raced four-year-old mare.
“I thought she was super today,” said Ben Allen.
“She jumped away cleanly and I gave her a squeeze to sit outside the leader, but after the pressure early I took a sit on her and while she was a touch keen in the run, she was tracking nicely.
“I popped out a little bit earlier than I would have liked to, but I also didn’t want to give Craig Newitt (leading) to big of a head start on his horse… she built quite nicely and won comfortably in the end,” said Allen, who has ridden her to both her victories.
“It was good to get another win on the bounce today,” said Henry.
“I thought today’s win was better again from her last start win, she looked really bright in her coat today in the yard and she is certainly going the right way about it with improvement to come.
“It was a lovely steer by Ben today and the mile looks perfect for her next time.
“She’s quite progressive from some humble beginnings,’ said Henry.
A 1600 metre race at Ballarat in two week’s time is the next target, depending on how the track conditions suit her, with the dryer the better. With some sunshine forecast post the weekend rain and Spring in the air, it could well be a case of three from three before she enjoys a nice break with some sun on her back.