Valentina A Hong Kong Possible

Dual Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), who lifted the G2 Matriarch S. at Flemington Saturday, is under consideration for the G1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin Dec. 13, trainer Kris Lees told Racing.com. The 5-year-old mare was recording her first win since last October’s G1 Turnbull S. Saturday.

“She’s got a nomination in for Hong Kong; hopefully she gets an invite,” Lees told Racing.com. “I think we would be [keen to travel], providing she pulls up well. I think that gap between runs would be ideal for her, but we’ll see what happens.”

Lucia Valentina had been ninth in the G1 Caulfield Cup Oct. 17, and the 10 furlong Matriarch marked a two furlong drop in distance.

“She’s not a big mare, and to be really strict, she’s been out of the winner’s stall for over a year now,” Lees told Racing.com. “We thought we needed to drop her back and hopefully get her a bit of confidence. She was really strong late–she didn’t get any favors, she had to carry the big weight.”