An unfavourable gate draw risks deferring Desert Lightning’s campaign opener at Mornington.

Desert Lightning pulled the widest post position in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) featuring 17 entries for Saturday, with 60kg and Luke Nolen riding.

The race accepts up to 15 plus two emergencies on Saturday.

Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s charge is back first-up Saturday, idle since the Crystal Mile (1600m) during spring at Moonee Valley last October.

Coleman mentioned they’ll assess running wide on Saturday versus scratching for later.

“He’s really just there first-up for a fitness run, so we’ll have a good look at the race and see whether we save him for another day,” Coleman said.

“It’s not the end of the world.”

Coleman suggested Desert Lightning’s prep trajectory points toward Queensland’s Winter Carnival.

He ran fourth in Eagle Farm’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) last June, remaining a key aim for his team this year.

Coleman noted the veteran Desert Lightning is tuning up effectively for winter.

“He’s trialled really nicely this time,” Coleman said.

“He’s nice and fresh, he seems in a good headspace for an older horse. He’s really enjoying his work.

“Whether he runs first-up on Saturday, or whether we wait another day, we’ll make that decision, but I think he can run well if we decide to go there.”

She’s Got Pizzazz from the same barn squeezed into the field at barrier 8, ridden by Linda Meech.

Any easing of the Mornington going would help She’s Got Pizzazz, who resumes with two 1100m runs after rest.

Wednesday’s rating had Mornington at Soft 5 upon acceptances.

“She’s ideally looking for 1400 metres now, but she needs another one at the 1200 (metres) to bring her on fitness wise,” Coleman said.

“She needs soft ground as well to see her at her best, so we’ll be on weather watch a little bit there as well.”

Find competitive racing betting markets for the Hareeba Stakes at leading sites.