Valentine Man ($2.80) had a tough draw in box five, and didn’t make things easy for himself with an unusually bad start, yet he found his way to the front on the turn for home.

“He normally begins better than that but I think in his first start the races might have overwhelmed him a little bit. He’s definitely got some speed and I couldn’t be happier with the way he came through the field,” winning trainer Lynn Maney said.

“His mum was quite a good little dog but she had a lot of injuries so we’re hoping that this litter can all run and show on the track what their mum didn’t get the chance to do.”

Valentine Man got as far back as second last when the boxes flew open.

One of the races outside hopes, Diva Rose Cargo ($30.30), was easily the best away from box four and got out to as far as a two length lead.

Luckily for Valentine Man a path through the middle of the pack had emerged and he was able to shoot into second place before arriving at the bend.

Maney’s runner got by Diva Rose Cargo as the field straightened for home and held off a late challenge from Lil’ Miss Marka ($18.20) to win by 1.5 lengths.

Diva Rose Cargo held on for third.

The winning time was 18.19 seconds.