by Duane Ranger
Being in foal has worked the oracle for Thursday’s Taranaki Breeders Stakes winner, Alta Valencia.
The 4-year-old Mach Three mare has been in foal to a Sportswriter for a month and will have a handful more races before being retired to the broodmare’s paddock.
Co-trainer John Dickie said he had liked her from day one.
“She has been a bit weak but she is quite a nice pacer. Yesterday’s win was her third. The owners want to breed from her because she will be a very valuable broodmare,” Dickie said.
Rosslands Stud paid $52,500 to the Alta Breeding Company for Alta Valencia at the 2014 Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka.
She’s now had 12 starts and won $18,356 in stakes. Her one length victory over favourite Rocknroll Princess (Andre Poutama) on the New Plymouth grass was her first since winning a junior drivers claiming race at Alexandra Park on October 7.
Co-trainer Josh Dickie led early and then trailed the favourite before whipping along the passing lane to get the chocolates.
He paced the 1750m mobile in 2:13.8 (mile rate 2:03 even) with final 800m and 400m sprints of 61.9 and 31 flat.
Alta Valencia will not be lining up at Hawera on Sunday and neither will the Dickies’ other winner yesterday – This Excuse Is Fine.
“We travelled to New Plymouth because it was a $10,000 fillies and mares race. We also wanted to support the race sponsor Woodlands Stud because they also sponsor Josh.
“Both horses will return to Auckland and we will plan their schedules from there,” Dickie said.
“We will stick to the grass with him. He tries hard and paces pretty well. The mare, however will probably start next on the all-weather tracks,” Dickie said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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