Kyvalley Ray lands Australian Group One

Kyvalley Ray (NZ) (Bold Eagle) brought his New Zealand harness racing form to Australia on Saturday night when winning the Group One Need for Speed Prince (1720m) at Melton.

While victorious in two of his previous five starts in Australia, the Brent Lilley-trained gelding’s best form has been in New Zealand, where he won six of his eight starts, including three at elite-level, and back to back NZB Standardbred Harness Million trotting titles.

He returned to Victoria following his victory in the Group One Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby (2700m) at Alexandra Park in May, and resumed with a disappointing last placed performance in the second heat of the Need for Speed Prince (1720m) at Melton last month.

Seeking redemption last Saturday, driver John Caldow was positive off the mobile arm and sent Kyvalley Ray forward to take up the early lead. The son of Bold Eagle trotted boldly throughout and opened up several lengths on his rivals heading into the final lap, a margin he continued to grow, eventually running out a 9.5m victor.

Caldow said Kyvalley Ray is still not 100 percent, but showed his quality with the victory.

“He was only about 90 percent right, but they (trainer Brent Lilley) got him pretty right,” Caldow said. “I was just hoping that he trotted well, and we were quite good around the corner, and he was pretty good.

“He felt he could have galloped at any stage so it was good (that he continued to trot).”

Bred by Phil Williamson, Kyvalley Ray is by Champion French trotter Bold Eagle and out of Group Three winner and 2018-19 New Zealand 4YO Trotting Mare of the Year Kenny’s Dream.

Kyvalley Ray has now won nine of his 14 starts and earned just shy of A$355,000 in prizemoney.

Vendor	Ms BA Williamson
Purchaser	Kyvalley Racing
Owner(s)	J W Connelly, S Maxwell
Breeding	Bold Eagle – Kenny’s Dream
Sale	2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($100,000)
Breeder(s)	P M Williamson

From NZB Standardbred