Racing: Leigh Valley has more highs than lows

Debbie Sweeney has under-estimated Leigh Valley before.

Before her last fresh-up run at Te Awamutu in June, her co-trainer felt she may be short of a gallop.

Leigh Valley, however, responded with a 7 3/4 length demolition job over 1150m.

Even so, Sweeney is still erring on the side of caution about her exciting four-year-old's return to the track over 1400m at Te Rapa today.

"If this wet weather keeps up 1200m may have been more ideal fresh-up," warned Sweeney between rain showers yesterday. "Over 1400m she just might need the run."

Yesterday, however, the rain that had fallen in the Waikato wasn't having any effect on Te Rapa's 2.6 dead reading.

And the good news for Leigh Valley fans is that the giant mare, who was rated worthy of a 1000 Guineas campaign until growing pains necessitated a spell, has finally shed the 'big and gangly' tag.

"She looks fantastic at the moment," said Sweeney, who co-trains with her father Graeme Sanders. "She's had a couple of jump-outs to fit her for this and we're really happy with her."

Leigh Valley also won fresh-up at this meeting last year, beating Misaki and Coup Invercargill in a three-year-old maiden 1150m dash.

Today's field, however, is a much tougher test and should give the stable a better line on just what distance will eventually suit the Bianconi mare the best.

Stablemate Florence May is also tipped to go close in the maiden 1400m after a huge fresh-up effort for second to Dead Common on the course last month.

The Grosvenor mare has again got no favours with the draw, but Sweeney says she's improved with her last run and will appreciate the extra 200m.

"The draw is a concern and she won't like it really wet, but she looks great - she's a much stronger mare now."

Sweeney expects her only other runner today, maiden three-year-old Our Mavourneen, who is co-owned by her husband Mark, to improve with her first raceday run.

"We'll know more after this, but she looks promising," she said.

Meanwhile, stable star Prize Lady remains sidelined until early next year with a tendon injury from her recent Queensland campaign.

"It could turn out to be a blessing," said Sweeney. "There's not much of her and she's only going to get better with time."