Walker seizes chance and takes Good Value to victory - Sydney Morning Herald

Good Value (left) ridden by Michael Walker, beats home Galah, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. Photo: Pat Scala

Luke Nolen's misfortune became Michael Walker's advantage when the champion jockey's unavailability through suspension gave the former New Zealand star rider the chance to climb aboard Mick Kent's six-year-old Good Value in the Momentum Energy Trophy.

Walker seized the chance with both hands and booted the son of Face Value home at $14, his late run just gunning down the Darley representative and favourite Galah ($3.20) by a short half head with top weight Strike the Stars, from the Anthony Cummings stable, a length and a quarter back in third place.

While the lightly raced gelding (this was only his 16th start) could front up at Sandown next weekend, Good Value is more likely to be saved for a hit and run raid on Sydney, where the the 1600 metre Group 2 Villiers Handicap, one of the traditional summer features, could be his target.

"He just had problems with his knees, so he would loom and not finish in some of his earlier races, but he hit the line well today," Cranbourne-based Kent, who was saddling up his first winner of the Flemington carnival, said.

"He's not a bad horse. He should have won a Winter championship. I really rated him, he was just floating away and leaning in his races, we found a problem with his knee and cleaned him up. I think he's a listed race quality horse and I reckon he will get 10 furlongs (2000m).

"Michael won on the horse last start. He should have won first up, was unlucky second up and has won his last two...he's been a bit maligned because he's run so many places."

2-MOMENTUM ENERGY TROPHY (95) 1600m: 14.00 GOOD VALUE (A Damirdjian, R Poladian, Mrs H Vitale, A P Beuk, A Bedrosian, D Piscioneri, B D Tozer, Two Joes & A Mario Synd & A & R Synd’s b g 6y Face Value - Jeune’s Heart. Trainer: M C Kent) 55.5 (M J Walker) 1, 3.20 fav GALAH 57 (K Mc Evoy) 2, 10.00 STRIKE THE STARS 60 (V Duric) 3. Then followed: 5.00 Morant 57 (Craig Williams) 16.00 I Feel Good 54 (C J Parish) 10.00 Muirfield 55.5 (Nicholas Hall) 7.00 Why Not 56 (C Schofield) 21.00 Flat Chat 57.5 (J Mott) 19.00 Kutchinsky 54 (D Oliver) 81.00 Studley Park 54 (R Plumb) last. Scr: Ourforeignminister, Ulundi. Sht 1/2 hd, 1-1/4 len. Time: 1:37.36. (Last 600m 35.37).