Breeding & Racing Magazine

Emirates Stakes Next For Lucia

Trainer Kris Lees says Lucia Valentina (Savabeel-Staryn Glenn, by Montjeu) has pulled up well from her disappointing Cox Plate performance and will push on towards the Gr1 Emirates Stakes (formerly Mackinnon Stakes) at Flemington on Saturday week, reports AAP. Lees believes several factors conspired against the three-time Gr1 winning mare who finished 7th (beaten 12 lengths) behind dual Cox Plate-winning champion Winx. "Lucia Valentina was never comfortable; she didn't get into the race at any stage," Lees said. "Obviously, we were disappointed, but from where she was in the run, her closing sectionals were okay." He added: "We know the bigger tracks such as Randwick and Flemington suit her." The $1 million weight-for-age Emirates Stakes will be run over 2000 metres on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival (5 November).