Kris Lees' first and only progeny of his champion mare Lucia Valentina, the blueblood filly Erin Jo, will make her much-anticipated debut on the Kensington track. The filly carries the legacy of her mother, who passed away last year at age 14, having been one of the best middle-distance mares of her generation with seven wins including the ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.
Erin Jo, Lucia Valentina's fourth foal and second-to-last, is housed at the same barn where her mother trained. She was purchased by John 'Singo' Singleton at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for a significant sum, and Lees noted similarities to her mother but with more substance. 'Erin Jo is going to continue to grow into a nice filly in time,' Lees said. 'Unfortunately Lucia is not with us anymore, so hopefully this filly can carry the torch.'
Lucia Valentina's stud career has already shown promise, with her Snitzel daughter Luella Cristina being Group 1 placed in New Zealand. Both of Erin Jo's 'parents' won on debut: I Am Invincible won by five lengths at Warwick Farm, and Lucia Valentina won a 1200m maiden at Tauranga as a $15 chance.
Erin Jo will debut in the Randwick Mayor's Cup (1300m), ridden by Nash Rawiller and cheered on by part-owner Erin Molan. Lees said, 'She has pleased in her trials, albeit she is a filly that will probably get over ground in time. I think she'll run a nice race. We just want to have a good day out and set up nicely for her future.'
Lees' other runner on the Kensington card is Calga Power in the Fidelity Capital Australia Handicap (1250m), who won a track record at Gosford in his return. Meanwhile, trainer Mack Griffith aims for his third Mudgee Cup with Aimpoint, a former Godolphin gelding who won a trial at Randwick last month.
