LUCIA Valentina’s win in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2,000 metres at Flemington last Saturday has seen the Savabeel mare usurp the Irish-bred Japanese horse Bande as favourite for the Caulfield Cup on October 19th.

It also lifted her to equal favourite for the Emirates Melbourne Cup with the Irish-bred The Offer. Originally trained by Stephen Marsh in New Zealand, Lucia Valentina was transferred to the Kris Lees stable at Newcastle last autumn, with this her third win for her new stable.