When Valley Girl won Saturday's Harcourts Optimize Open at Ruakaka is was clear the transtasman assault could begin earlier than usual. Related Content Racing: Classy VRC Derby hopeful delivers Racing: Myers treble at Riccarton Racing: Close tussle for horse-of-year title"He tried hard late, but it was just too tough for him at 1200m." Unquestionably the day belonged to Valley Girl, who has developed into a strong and confident individual. There was more than a touch of the exceptional about the way Valley Girl disposed of the high-class opposition, despite no previous experience at having raced at 1200m. I know he's won a couple in the mud at Ellerslie, but that was on loose, wet footing and he was able to get through the ground.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 07, 2016 15:56 UTC