Kiwi-owned Group One winner Desert Lightning will be out to double his elite-level tally when he returns to Eagle Farm on Saturday to tackle the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
Formerly in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams in New Zealand, the five-year-old gelding won five races for his now retired trainers, including the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) and $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m).
He transferred to the care of Pakenham conditioners Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman last spring where he made an immediate impact, placing in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) first-up before winning the Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m).
Returning in autumn, he was unplaced in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) before returning to form last Saturday at Eagle Farm when runner-up in the Listed Spier Chief Handicap (1500m), belying his 61kg impost.
Owners Sarah and Chris Green and Ger Beemsterboer, who race Desert Lightning under their Barneswood Farm banner, were delighted to see their charge return to form last weekend and are excited about his prospects carrying a lighter load on Saturday.
“It was a great finish from him (last Saturday). He had 61 kilos to carry and this time he has 54.5kg, so that is big change,” Sarah Green said.
The son of Pride of Dubai will jump from the ace barrier, with Tommy Berry remaining in the saddle.
“He is in the field and we are just hoping for the best,” Green said. “He raced last weekend and is backing up again. We are not sure how that is going to play out, but he has got a great draw.
“It’s a good sign (that Tommy has retained the ride). He knows him and that is always a plus when the jockey wants to stick with him.
“He has got the ability, but it is a field full of good horses and we are just taking a chance.”
Green has returned from Europe this week to be trackside at Eagle Farm on Saturday, where she will be joined by her Australian-based daughter, and she said she gets a lot of enjoyment in competing across the Tasman.
“I love it (racing in Australia),” Green said. “My daughter lives in Sydney and she is coming up to Brisbane to be with me and watch the race.
“It is exciting, and for me it (Australian racing) is the epitome of racing, I love it. You just take the excitement when you can and just hope for the best.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
