All eyes will be on the Kensington track this week as a new chapter in a celebrated racing story begins. Trainer Kris Lees is set to unveil Erin Jo, the first and only progeny of his beloved champion mare Lucia Valentina, in a poignant and highly anticipated race debut.
A Legacy to Uphold
The debut carries significant emotional weight. Erin Jo represents more than just another promising filly; she is now the standard-bearer for her mother's legacy following Lucia Valentina's untimely passing last year at just 14 years of age. The blueblood filly is the fourth foal from the mare and is fittingly housed in the same barn where her mother established herself as one of the finest middle-distance mares of her generation.
Lucia Valentina's stellar career featured seven wins, including major Group 1 victories in the ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Turnbull Stakes, and the Vinery Stud Stakes. She also showcased her grit with a heroic third-place finish in the Caulfield Cup behind Japanese champion Admire Rakti.
From the Sales Ring to the Track
The journey to this debut began at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Erin Jo, a filly by champion sire I Am Invincible, attracted spirited bidding before being knocked down to prominent owner John 'Singo' Singleton. She was then entrusted to the man who knew her mother best: trainer Kris Lees.
"She was a nice type at the sale," Lees recalled, drawing comparisons. "There were some similarities, but Erin Jo had a bit more substance to her than Mum would have at a similar time. Lucia was a bit finer. Erin Jo is going to continue to grow into a nice filly in time."
Lees added, with clear sentiment, "Unfortunately Lucia is not with us anymore, so hopefully this filly can carry the torch."
Managing Expectations for a Big Future
Erin Jo will step into the starting gates for the Randwick Mayor's Cup over 1300 metres. She will be partnered by Singleton's go-to jockey, Nash Rawiller, and cheered on by part-owner and namesake, Erin Molan.
While the pedigree is impeccable—both her sire, I Am Invincible, and her dam won on debut—Lees is tempering expectations for this first outing. He emphasises the experience over the result.
"She has pleased in her trials, albeit she is a filly that will probably get over ground in time, as you would expect out of Lucia," Lees said. "From the gate, we will give her a chance to be ridden accordingly. I think she'll run a nice race. Who knows how that track will play early in the day, so we are not going in with great expectations. We just want to have a good day out and set up nicely for her future."
The family's breeding potential is already showing promise. Lucia Valentina's other daughter, the Snitzel mare Luella Cristina, is already Group 1-placed in New Zealand.
Lees' Second Chance on the Card
Kris Lees will also saddle up Calga Power in the Fidelity Capital Australia Handicap (1250m) on the same Kensington twilight card. The gelding, owned by Walter Power Thoroughbreds, is returning from a track-record performance at Gosford.
"He was very good in his return and appears to have had ample time to get over that run," Lees noted. "He's an on-pacer with good gate speed and puts himself there, so you think that is a positive for Kenso at this stage."
Mudgee Cup in Sight for Griffith and Aimpoint
In other racing news, trainer Mack Griffith is eyeing a third Mudgee Cup victory with former Godolphin gelding Aimpoint. Fresh off a win in the Country Classic at Rosehill, Aimpoint trialled impressively in Canberra and is weighted attractively for the 1400m feature.
"It's a good starting point for him," Griffith stated. "He races well fresh, and his trial showed he is back to where he should be. He will go forwardish; I wouldn't like him to lead first-up over 1400m, but he will definitely be in the first few."
Griffith also has strong hopes for Stratified in the Mudgee Cup Day Sprint (1200m), following the gelding's recent victory in the Warren Club Sprint. "I think he is a great chance of winning actually," the trainer said confidently.
