Lightning Stakes Tips – 2014

A cracking field has come together for this running of the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, the highlight of the Flemington meeting this Saturday. Smart mares Samaready and Snitzerland head the market at $3.50 and $4.50 respectively but with promising Bernbeu ($6.00) entered, along with two 2yo’s – Boomwaa ($9.00) and Bugatty ($26.00) there’s plenty of depth and interest to this race. The only other runner in the race under double figures is Shampexpress ($8.00) who, along with Samaready, is the only Group 1 winner in the race. 

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1. SHAMEXPRESS – D Oliver (8)

The O’Reilly stallion won the G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) here back in March last year defeating Moment of Change and Aeronautical before travelling overseas but failing to impress in either of his two starts. He returned to racing in October where despite finishing ninth in the field of twelve, he was only 1.6 lengths from the winner Buffering in the G1 Manikato Stakes He backed that up a fortnight later when flashing home from the tail of the field to run an unlucky second to Buffering in the VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) here at Flemington. Last two starts up the straight have been first rate and he’ll appreciate the solid tempo that will be put on up front. He’ll be steaming home late.

Samaready winning the Theshark.com.au at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Samaready winning the Theshark.com.au at Caulfield – photo by Race Horse Photos Australia

 

2. PAGO ROCK – S Baster (11)

The David Hayes trained runner hasn’t been able to register another win in seven starts since he claimed the Listed Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) back in July, but it hasn’t been for the lack of trying. He ran a head second to Unpretentious in the G2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) before a close up fourth (1 length) in the G2 Caulfield Sprint behind Spirit Of Boom. Returns here off a thirteen week break and generally goes well fresh and at this track. Ideally suited to a touch further but will be doing his best work late.

 

3. AERONAUTICAL – C Schofield (7)

Smart sprinter on his day but he can prove hard to catch. The 5yo hasn’t raced since he finished strongly from the tail of the field to claim the Listed Razor Sharp Stakes back in December, defeating Heart Testa by a neck. That win came off a ten week break, similar to the time he’s had off leading into this race and his fresh runs have been amongst some of his best. Trainer Lionel Cohen has prepped him for his return with a barrier trial a fortnight ago and whilst he’ll be getting home hard, over the 1000m with 58.5kgs, may find a few too slick.

 

4. ESPRIT DE BULLET – V Duric (3)

An Adelaide galloper who won an Open class race over this distance and track, two starts back under 60kgs. The 8yo by Bel Esprit closed well from the back of the field to defeat Fab Fevola before then lining up in the Listed W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m). He got back to near last in the run and failed to make an impression in the run home, finishing second to last and almost seven lengths from the winner, Shamal Wind. On that effort, with the same weight to carry here, hard to see him making the necessary improvement required.

 

5. UNPRETENTIOUS – C Williams (2)

A sparingly raced but gifted galloper, he returns to racing off a fourteen week spell. The son of Stratum was first up of a forty-seven week spell when he characteristically produced a strong finish to win the G2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) by a head over Pago Rock back in October He followed that up four weeks later, with an average effort in the G1 VRC Sprint, finishing ninth and 6.4 lengths from Buffering. Has been prepped for this run with a barrier trial two weeks ago, where he finished second to Lankan Rupee – impressive winner of a last week’s G2 Rubiton Stakes.

 

6. AFRICAN PULSE – M Rodd (6)

Lightly raced 5yo from Mike Moroney’s stables who returned to racing off a forty-one week spell with an encouraging fourth (3 lengths) behind Shamal Wind and General Truce in the Listed W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m) a fortnight ago. He sat on the speed from his good draw first up and will derive huge benefit from the outing after such a lengthy break. Smart galloper and his draw should see him able to camp right behind the leaders however; he is yet to win at Stakes level and under the WFA conditions, has to carry more than he has ever had to previously.

 

7. SAMAREADY – C Newitt (4) 56.5kgs

She was first up off a year’s break when victorious in the G3 The Shark Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in October last year. Four weeks later, the daughter of More Than Ready totally dominating her nine rivals in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley defeating Buffering, who the won his next three starts all at G1 level, by four lengths. The first of those wins for Buffering came in the G1 Manikato Stakes in which Samaready, after her impressive Moir win, started the $2.15 favourite. She finished, on the surface, a disappointing eighth (1.5 lengths) but was later found to have pulled up lame and was spelled. Hasn’t been seen at the trials but that is the normal preparation for her. Can win this first up.

 

8. SNITZERLAND – B Avdulla (10) 56.5kgs

The 4yo mare’s last run was a nose second to Lankan Rupee in the Listed Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) on this course back on VRC Oaks Day last November. Gerald Ryan has his charge ready to fire first up judging by her impressive six length win in a recent Rosehill barrier trial. Forgive her latest first up run, after which she was given seven weeks off, and she’s won three from four first up including the G2 Warwick Stakes (1000m) where she set a new track record in the process. Drawn to be handy and is a legitimate chance to register her first Group 1.

 

9. THERMAL CURRENT – L Nolen (1) 55.5kgs

Drew the inside gate and secured a lovely run throughout when saluting by a head in the G3 Telstra Stakes (1200m) before taking on the leading 3yo’s in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day last year. He submitted an honest performance given the grade he was contesting and finished 2.9 lengths fifth behind Zoustar. That was his most recent run and to be winning here first up, would think he’d have to have made substantial improvement over his break.

 

10. BERNABEU – N Rawiller (9) 55.5kgs

A promising galloper from John O’Shea’s yard who, in the space of four starts over two months last preparation, went from a Newcastle Maiden win to registering a very impressive 3 ¼ length win at Flemington, over this distance, on Cup Day. The son of Fastnet Rock appears to have continued to improve over the break judging by his recent Flemington jump-out which he won in an impressive manner. Thrown into the deep end for the commencement of this campaign but very well may be up to the challenge.

 

11. BRILLIANT BISC – G Boss (13) 53.5kgs

The Elvstroem filly kicked her career off in good style, winning the Listed Gimcrack Stakes before finishing a well beaten third (eight lengths) behind Overreach in the Widden Stakes. After two plain efforts in the Silver Slipper and Magic Night Stakes, her trainer Peter Moody decided to give her a good spell. She returned as 3yo in the Listed W.J. Adams (1000m) a fortnight ago and belied her quote of $31.00 when holding on well late from a forward position to claim third, 2.2 lengths behind Shamal Wind. Would expect to see some improvement off of that run but maybe not enough to see her win a G1 WFA race against a hot field.

 

12. BOOMWAA – D Yendall (5) 46kgs

Eight weeks after claiming the G3 Maribyrnong Stakes (1000m) here at Flemington back on Stakes Day last year, the Robbie Laing trained son of Mutawaajid went to Sydney where his target was the lucrative Inglis Classic. After running second in his first Sydney start to Fighting Sun, he was sent out a $2.20 favourite for the Inglis Classic. He led and opened up what appeared to be a winning break halfway down the straight but was caught in the final stages by Peggy Jean, who was by a head. He has shown good speed in each of his previous starts and with only 46kgs to carry here, sure to be scooting along in front but will be kept honest by older and proven performers and that pressure might tell late.

 

13. BUGATTY – D Holland (12) 46kgs

Teams Hawkes prepares this Dreamscape colt who lines up for only his fourth start. He ran second on debut in 2yo 1000m race at Moonee Valley the week after Christmas before a fortnight later, producing a strong effort late when challenged by Ducal Castle, to score a length win over 1000m here at Flemington. As he had done at his previous starts, he took up the running at his most recent outing – the G3 Chairman’s Stakes (1100m) but was no match over the last furlong for Nayeli who had sat outside him the run. Despite the featherweight, would expect him to find this no easier.

 

RACE OVERVIEW

With the two 2yo’s drawn apart here, it’ll be interesting to see how the field makes its way up the straight course. Samaready should get a nice tag behind Boomwaa, who has drawn on her immediate outside and can take her a long way into the race. Her Moir win was devastating and the subsequent form from the race was outstanding. Had she not had the mishap in the Manikato, how many G1’s may she have gone on to win? Snitzerland was super impressive in a recent trial and her two runs up the straight 1000m have resulted in narrow seconds. The blow-out horse is Bernbeu who looked fantastic in a jump-out here at Flemington last week. He progressed at a rapid rate of knots last time in and looks to have come back in great order.

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  1. SAMAREADY
  2. BERNBEU
  3. SNITZERLAND
  4. SHAMEXPRESS

 

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

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