Although finishing runner-up in the initial judge’s call for the result in the Frocked Up Girls 3YO (1200m) at Tauranga on Saturday, promising galloper Valentine secured his second career victory courtesy of a successful protest lodged after the son of Turn Me Loose suffered interference from race favourite Aquilifer in the home straight. 

Valentine and apprentice rider Jess Allen rider had stalked the pace-making Aquilifer throughout and the pair set down for a tooth and nail struggle in the home straight. 

Aquilifer ran out and bumped Valentine on more than one occasion, and despite holding on to beat her rival home by a neck, the judicial committee saw enough to relegate her behind Valentine deeming the interference cost that runner more ground than the official winning margin. 

“He’s a horse that’s always shown ability and finished runner-up to subsequent Group One winner Pignan on debut as a two-year-old,” said Te Akau racing manager Reece Trumper. 

“There is the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes coming up, but we’d have to get him home and see how he progresses, and he’d probably need another run before then. It’s become a really competitive race, so we’ll just have to wait and see.” 

Valentine was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $80,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and is part-owned by Jonny Schick, director of Shaw’s Wire Ropes and Shaw’s Property Holdings. 

“He’s a nice colt, really athletic, and good moving style of horse with plenty of quality and class about him,” Ellis said.  

Valentine is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Fastnet Rose, who is closely related to triple Australian Group One winner Serenade Rose and dual Group One winning sprinter Trekking. 

The victory was one of four at the meeting for Walker and Bergerson who took their winning tally to 126 for the season and well clear of their nearest rival, Stephen Marsh, who sits second with 66 wins on the National Trainers’ premiership ladder.