Last season's Group One winner Valley Girl was brilliant winning the Harcourts Optimize Open (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.
Photo: Trish Dunnel
The open sprint was the race of the day in the country. Despite only an eight horse field, the race also featured Group performers Stolen Dance, Ryan Mark and Hasselhoof all returning to start their spring campaigns.
The four-year-old mare ridden by Danielle Johnson settled in fourth place, challenging the leaders with 150m to run and strode clear of Biggin Hill with a length to spare at the line, with three-quarters of length to Hasselhoof in third. Stolen Dance was game for fourth place. The winning time was 1:13.28, the last 600 in 35.13.
"That's a lovely way to start her campaign. She's not near cherry ripe, she'll still take a heap of improvement out of this, but that was very good," said co-trainer Chris Gibbs.
Valley Girl will likely tackle the Makfi and then possibly head to Melbourne.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman was a surprise winner of last season's Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes here at Te Rapa. She then finished second in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes in Sydney.
Valley Girl, bred and raced by Des, Leigh and Sean Hawkins and the Llanhennock Trust.
Valley Girl is from Group Three winner Leigh Valley, who comes from the family of Group One Queensland Oaks winner Round the World.
Valley Girl has now had 10 starts for four wins, two placings and just under $390,000 in prize-money.
Local Te Rapa trainer David Greene was very happy with the run of his mare Stolen Dance. Last season's three time Group One pace-getter stuck on gamely for fourth.
"Really happy with that. She was carrying 60kgs and stuck in the worst of the ground. She was left a bit flat-footed when they quickened, but she really found the line.
"That was really good. I think she'll be a serious contender in the Makfi. She'll be meeting them a lot better off at the weights," Greene said.
