Lucia Valentina has confirmed her Caulfield Cup favouritism after winning the Group One Turnbull at Flemington.
Sent out at $8.50, Lucia Valentina saved ground through the turn before joining in at the 200m towards the centre of the track.
She put the race beyond doubt soon after to beat Lidari ($18) and Brambles.
Lucia Valentina – Turnbull Stakes 2014
“I had to ride her for a bit of luck but she’s got a great turn of foot to be able to do that,” jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.
Lucia Valentina had to be cleared by Racing Victoria vets before taking her place in the field after suffering a hoof complaint during the week.
“She missed a bit of work on Thursday but as it turned out it may have been a blessing in disguise,” trainer Kris Lees said.
In a race full of Cups hopefuls, Puissance De Lune jumped well before being headed by by Brambles and Entirely Platinum.
Entirely Platinum set a solid tempo but he was one of the first horses beaten.
Top New Zealand mare Silent Achiever settled further back than connections wanted, drifting back to 11th and never figured as a winning chance.
