Christmas Joy

It is no easy task to win off the back of a sudden distance change but that is exactly what the talented Our Valdivia did at Sale on Christmas Eve – saluting in strong fashion dropping back from 2000m to just 1415m.

Bred for a bit of ground, the Don Eduardo four-year-old just hasn’t been seeing out the longer trips – prompting Moroney to keep him on the fresh side for a shorter test.

And the gamble paid off, Our Valdivia travelling sweetly behind the leaders for Ryan Maloney and finding plenty as she got up on the inside of her rivals in the run home.

The stable was not surprised by Our Valdivia’s return to form after two unplaced runs at 2000m.

“He just can’t stay,” Greg Hoysted said, “and Michael thought that if he could get some cover today he’d prove hard to beat.”

Describing Our Valdivia as “a nice big horse” and a “keen going type,” Ryan Maloney said that the race was run to suit with a bit of pace on.

“He tracked up really well and was just too strong at the end.”

Recording his first Australian win having broken his maiden in New Zealand late last year, Our Valdivia has taken a while to figure out but now looks ready to go right on with it.

Raced by Ballymore stables with Lib Petagna, Our Valdivia is a half-brother to the talented Hong Kong galloper O’Halo out of a half-sister to Group One galloper Just Tommy.