Maturity has been touted as the key to Golden Valkyrie breaking maiden ranks with the gavelhouse.com graduate successful at Wingatui last week with a smart performance over 1600m.

Steered to victory by Terry Moseley, the four-year-old son of Stratum was secured for $1,600 and is a son of stakes-winner Jungle Juice who is a half to Karaka Million winner Ockham’s Razor.

He has now won $8,250 for his ownership group which includes Riccarton-based trainer Nicky Lloyd who is thrilled with the result.

“He’s been great and the win last week was really impressive,”

“Jessie who rides him in his work every day is in him and he’s the first horse a couple of the other guys in him have raced so they’re over the moon and are already asking when we can get another one.”

“He had a wind operation before we bought him but looking at the vet report that was provided and his form, I think realistically it was just immaturity that had held him back,”

“When he arrived he was basically just a big baby and he’s been great in the wind, you’d have no idea he’d had an issue with it.”

“We only have five or six in work and he’s a real character and is thriving so we will aim him for Riccarton on the 18th of May and then see whether we give him another run or turn him out over the winter as I think with another six months he will really come into his own.”

 “We just love him, he will have a home for life with us.”

There are currently nine racing prospects for sale on gavelhouse.com New Zealand with the auction set to close from 7pm Monday 30 April. Register online at www.gavelhouse.com to bid.