THERE was consolation for Scone trainer Rod Northam when Valree (Robert Thompson) stormed home to grab the lead on the line and win the $40,000 Godolphin Tiara (1450m) at Muswellbrook on Sunday.
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Valree was third emergency for the Wild Card (1280m) but missed a start and Northam had accepted for the Tiara as a back-up.
"It is disappointing she missed a run in the Wild Card but it is always nice to win a race," he said.
"Her future is in races from 1400m to 1600m."
Valree ($5) carried blinkers for the first time and the step up in distance to the Tiara had Northam a little worried.
"I worked her in them during the week thinking she would get a run in the Wild Card and I was worried she might go a bit too keen in the longer race," he added.
"She has been tending not to hit the line and I thought the blinkers would help."
Thompson had Valree back fourth last before starting to move forward from the 500 metres and go wide on the turn.
She worked home strongly to hit the lead in the last stride and beat Je Suis Tycoon ($6) and Ondo Pasa (17) in a three-way photo finish while the $2.25 favourite Majestic Pedrille (Hugh Bowman) was a further length away fourth
