The well-travelled Lightning Jack was a luckless placegetter at the highest level at his most recent appearance and will have an opportunity to turn his fortunes this weekend.
The Southlander finished a frustrating third in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and has since been based at Otaki in preparation for the Group 1 WFA Classic (1600m) there on Saturday.
“He’s been staying at Howie and Lorraine Mathews’ place so it will be on his new home track,” said Kelvin Tyler, who trains the six-year-old at Riverton with his daughter Aimee.
“We were absolutely rapt with his run in the Thorndon and he should probably have won the race, luck didn’t come at the crucial time.
“That happens every day of the week really, but it could have happened in a maiden race and not in a Group One.”
Lightning Jack, who was sent north off the back of a runner-up finish in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m), was held up in the closing 200m before finishing third behind He’s A Doozy and subsequent Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart.
“He’s a really good horse and has won two Guineas races, run third in the Wellington Guineas (Group 2, 1400m) and won a Saturday race at Randwick as well as his other wins and placings,” Tyler said.
Successful at Listed level in the Gore Guineas (1335m) and the Southland Guineas (1600m), Lightning Jack has won seven races and delivered his last career victory during a stint from Annabel Neasham’s Sydney stable.
“He went to Annabel in mid-December 2021 and he won first-up and she travelled him to Queensland and had his last runs for her in Melbourne,” Tyler said.
“He was quite competitive and after that we decided to bring him home for a freshen-up and start again.”
Lisa Allpress will retain the ride on Lightning Jack on Saturday and any easing of the ground will be in his favour.
“He goes on anything really, but it probably does suit him better when there is a bit of rain around,” Tyler said.
“He has done really well since his last start, he had a nice gallop on the course proper on Saturday and had his final hit-out today and we couldn’t be happier, we can’t fault him.
“We’ll see how he goes on Saturday, but there are a few other nice races around for him.
“He could go further north and he’s always given us the impression he will go 2000m.”
If he performs up to expectations at Otaki, a crack at the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Pukekohe on March 11 may be on the cards.
Lightning Jack has proved to be a grand money-spinner for the family with Tyler’s brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Marie, racing the son of Per Incanto.
His stake earnings have so far topped $325,000 after they purchased him as a yearling for $8500 at Karaka, where he was offered by breeder Gloria Kenny.
Lightning Jack is out of the Savabeel mare La Petite, who was successful at 2050m, and she is a daughter of the Group 1 Avondale Cup (2200m) winner Creil.
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