Lucia Valentina trials strongly at Gosford
Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Lucia Valentina has finished second in a barrier trial after flashing home from last.
Andrew Gibbons eased the Kris Lees-trained Lucia Valentina to the tail of the field before going wide on the turn, allowing her to let down strongly to run second to Sense Of Occasion in a 1000m-heat at Gosford on Monday morning.
It was Lucia Valentina’s second trial in the lead-up to spring, with Lees aiming her at the Cox Plate.
The mare is expected to resume in the Warwick Stakes at Randwick on August 20 where she is set to clash with Winx.
Lucia Valentina’s Group One-winning stablemate Le Romain ran third in a separate 1000m-trial at Gosford on Monday, ridden by Christian Reith, who partnered the horse to victory in the Randwick Guineas.