Valuate sneaks in
Last-minute jockey change no hindrance
VALUATE proved her worth after winning yesterday’s 1200m QTIS 2YO Classic Prelude at Cluden Park by a nose.
Jockey Chris Whiteley got last-minute instructions from the jockey who was meant to ride her, Stephen Wilson, as he was taken away to hospital in an ambulance after suffering chest pains.
Wilson was taken to Townsville Hospital by ambu- lance in a stable condition shortly after the third race at about 2.30pm a Queensland Ambulance spokesman said.
Valuate’s trainer Alby Molino said Wilson, his son-in-law, would not be happy missing out on his chance to ride the winner.
“He’s probably got more pains now that he saw the horse win,” Molino joked.
“It’s hard he had to explain to another rider how to ride her.”
But Molino said Whiteley, who replaced Wilson, rode a “perfect race” on Valuate.
“There was only a head in it but that’s all you need. And that’s all I need in the Classic, I hope,” he said.
Valuate beat Dalon (0.3 lengths) and Our Alicia’s Lane (0.4L) by a whisker. The filly automatically qualified for the next month’s $100,000 Townsville RSL Two-YearOld Classic with the win.
Molino said the 1200m distance of the June 9 Classic suited Valuate perfectly and should make her a favourite.
“If she gets all good luck in the running and gets a good draw in the barriers I think they’ll be looking for her,” he said. “They’ll be worried about her, put it that way.”
In the final race of the day, 1400m BenchMark 55 Handicap, a fall occurred around the 1000m mark involving Jerrazz, Sidthekid and Kanui.
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the fall. The three jockeys were taken to hospital with minor injuries.