Classic candidate by Valixir

Lomar Park sire Valixir sired his initial stakes winner with Lethal Jones in the LR Melvista Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Lethal Jones (3g Valixir – Grier Garsonne by Arena) upstaged his more fancied rivals with fast-finishing victory over 2200m.  “We had high hopes last season but he took ages to hit his straps,” trainer Dion Luciani explained.  “He won a Bunbury maiden last month and is putting it together slowly but surely.

“I didn’t give him a hope in running today,” Luciani added as Jason Whiting brought the winner back to scale.  “He didn’t tack on when Rohan took off at the 600m but really let down late.  He will be really suited by the extra furlong in the WA Derby.”

Valixir (Ire) matured as a late season three year-old winning the G2 Prix Eugene Adam (2000m) and G2 Prix Neil (2400m).  He peaked at four with G1 triumphs in the Prix d’Ispahan (defeated Elvstroem) and the Queen Anne Stakes (defeated Starcraft).

Valixir (Trempolino) retired to Lomar Park in 2007 but covered a restricted book due to E.I.  The Melvista winner is from his first crop and is a younger half-brother to the Perth winners Campobello (Hawk Wing) and Fridays Girl (Footstepsinthesand).

Their dam Grier Garsonne is a sister to Vegas Star (Arena) who was Champion Singapore 2YO in 2006.

Lethal Jones has been promoted to the third line of betting for the G2 WA Derby (2400m) on April 14.  He is priced at $8 behind Pop Culture ($4.50) and Rohan ($5.50).