Currently in the Hunter Valley for Yulong, Lucky Vega (IRE) will be shuttling back to Ace Stud in the UK next month and he featured at Newcastle on Saturday when the Ciaron Maher trained 2YO filly Lucky Lakota made a winning debut in the $160,000 Max Lees Classic (900m).
Second in her only previous trial, Lucky Lakota charged late for Dylan Gibbons with a well timed run to snatch a narrow win over Tassort colt Bronze Lion, who had the race won everywhere bar the post.
LUCKY LAKOTA SPROUTS WINGS LATE ?? A huge win on debut in the Max Lees Classic! @djgibbons22 @cmaherracing @Austbloodstock https://t.co/YZ71IHx50w
— 7HorseRacing ?? (@7horseracing) November 14, 2026
“She obviously needs to grow and develop, but she's just got one of those amazing actions where, for a little filly, she just covers ground so well,” said Dylan Gibbons.
“You've seen the attitude on her today, she jumped, put herself in a spot, travelled. She was a bit new coming out (from behind runners), as you'd expect, but then once I put her back in between them, and she saw where the bunny was, she chased and chased hard.
“She gets a well-deserved win and there is plenty more in store.”
A $100,000 Inglis Classic purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock / Australian Bloodstock from Infinity Thoroughbreds, she was a successful pinhook having been sourced from the Crossley Thoroughbreds draft for $55,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale.
Lucky Lakota is the third winner from three foals to race from Masikota, an unraced Street Cry (IRE) grand-daughter of stakes-winner Gimmick.
