WHITEMORE trainer Graeme McCulloch thought enough of his two-year-old Valdez to take him to Melbourne to contest the VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) in which he finished a creditable ninth against strong opposition beaten only 5.6 lengths.
So it came as no surprise to punters that the son of Sebring broke his maiden status in a colts and geldings maiden over 1150 metres on the synthetic at Spreyton last Sunday.
With David Pires in the saddle, the athletic colt settled just behind the leaders and while it took him a while to get wound up the home straight he finished the race off well to grab victory in the shadows of the post.
Valdez (Sebring-Valmiera) only had five starts last season with is best result a fourth in the $100,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes behind Admiral at his fourth outing.
It was his fast-finishing effort in the Gold Sovereign that convinced McCulloch to tackle the Sires Produce in Melbourne.
Jokey David Pires was full of praise for the colt. Listen to what he had to say about the performance after the race.
Photo courtesy of Greg Mansfield.