YOUNG apprentice Denise Lee enjoyed a successful evening at Turffontein, Tuesday, when winnning a 1160m Maiden Plate on the grey gelding Pero Valiente headline photo), owned by Tony Moodley, Dr John and Amanda Mcveigh, Chris Haynes, Gary Grant, Ferdi Ladeira, Noeline Malherbe, Warne and Wendy Ripppon, Mike de Kock and Mary Slack’s Wilgebosdrift Sydnicate.

This was Denise’s first ride for the stable and assistant trainer John Buckler said: “She’s been riding work for us and deserved her chance. Pero Valiente was a nice ice-breaker. He’s a progressive sort who will win again over more ground.”

Amanee (Marcus), wins from Eskimo Inn, on her inside. (JC Photos).

Denise came close to beating the De Kock-trained filly Amanee in another 1160m event on Weiho Marwing’s Eskimo Inn, but Anton Marcus prevailed on Sheikh Mohammmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s import, a daughter of Pivotal.

“Amanee is smart, she will go on from here,” said Buckler.