Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Consistent performer Valentines Brook, placed at four of his five previous starts, broke through for an overdue win when he stormed home to snatch victory in a thrilling finish to the 1730m Cowden The Insurance Brokers Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The win completed a double for Ravenswood trainer Jocelyn Young, who had been successful with Rocknroll Elliot an hour earlier. Valentines Brook, a $7.50 chance, was restrained at the start from barrier five and raced in ninth position until Kyle Symington eased the six-year-old three wide 550m from home.
Valentines Brook then was forced four wide, but he sustained a powerful sprint to get up and win narrowly from the pacemaker and $3.30 favourite Blitzembye, with Vampiro and the unlucky Alopony close behind.
This was Valentines Brook’s first win from eight starts in his current preparation, following his outstanding effort for Young at his previous campaign which resulted in six wins and seven seconds from 15 starts.
“Valentines Brook had three or four months off after his previous preparation and he carries plenty of weight,” said Young. “So, it always takes a couple of runs to get him to his top. He is still very big, and I don’t think he is there yet.”
The Victorian-bred Valentines Brook has earned $237,916 from 18 wins, 22 seconds and nine thirds from 81 starts.