The Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) had been touted by many as a match race between Imperatriz (+240) and I Wish I Win (+320), however, it was Chain Of Lightning (+2200) getting the better of both to claim her first Group 1 victory.
She had put the writing on the wall second-up into the preparation, making a mess of her rivals in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 23, suggesting the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained mare has gone to another level this time in.
She was given every conceivable chance thanks to a terrific rail hugging ride by Damien Lane, making the worthwhile trip north of Victoria as the five-year-old avoided many of the traffic issues some of her key rivals faced.
It was a blanket go in the concluding stages as Imperatriz, I Wish I Win, Bella Nipotina (+1000), Magic Time (+1000) and Espiona (+1700) jostled for positions and were all chomping at the heels of the leader, however, Chain Of Lightning never shirked the task, holding off some classy sprinters to the claim the T J Smith Stakes.
2024 Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes Replay – Chain Of Lightning
Peter Moody was on course to speak on behalf of his team, and although all eyes were on I Wish I Win trying to score back-to-back wins in the race, the stable were still able to claim victory as Katherine Coleman chalked up her first Group 1 win as a co-trainer.
“It wasn’t quite the one I thought (would win),” joked Moody.
“I was looking at Wish (I Wish I Win) steaming down the outside.
“This is a beautiful moment. Stuey and Trish Ramsey, they’ve been my foundation clients, we go back 30-odd years, so to win that for him that’s unbelievably special.
“Fourth time now winning the race named after ‘The Little Master’, my first boss TJ Smith, which makes me very proud.
“Thanks to Kat Coleman, my training partner, her first Group 1. Well done Katherine, well deserved.”
Damien Lane gave his post-race assessment as well, benefiting from the soft draw throughout the running.
“She was super,” said Lane.
“I was able to hold a handy spot from a good draw and just travelled into the race so well.
“Moods said to me before the race, ‘if you’re going well on straightening, try and pinch a break up the rise’.
“I did and then I went, ‘I might have gone too early’. (That’ll teach me for) listening to trainers again, but in the end it came off and she was so tough.
“She’s a race day horse, she just steps up to the mark every time she’s asked to and she just fights on.”
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