The Chris Pollard-trained Lucky Dog is certainly one to keep an eye on at the Lightning Wet Season Series Final (1200m) at 0-70 level behind the Angela Forster-trained Zoumist indicates that the former South Australian galloper is every chance to break his duck in the NT.
Regardless of whether they qualified automatically for the Wet Season Series Final, a horse could only compete in the race on Australia Day if they participated in a heat and in the first of seven heats Lucky Dog was fourth over 1200m (BM54) on November 12 behind Phil Cole’s Crazy Lad.
Lucky Dog ($14) got a start in the final when other qualifiers and the next best based on the order of merit didn’t accept – and he definitely wasn’t making up the numbers.
In fact, he proved that he was fit and was clearly in form as he overcame the outside barrier (10) to produce his best work in the home straight before succumbing to the fast-finishing Zoumist.
2023 Lightning Wet Season Series Final | Lucky Dog (2nd)
He lumped 54.5kg that day, and with regular rider Stan Tsaikos back in the saddle he steps up to 59kg on Friday, although he won’t have to cover too much ground by jumping from gate four.
Despite being quoted as a $3.80 favourite with online bookmakers, Pollard’s galloper will have to be at his best as stablemate Stars The Limit, Phil Cole’s Courageous Hearts, Gary Clarke’s Chief Mondo and Tayarn Halter’s Pocket Pistol have been placed in recent times.
Jason Manning’s Miroku returns from a four-month break and is capable of saluting, but the form guide suggests Lucky Dog is the one to beat.
A debut fourth in Darwin over 1100m (BM54) behind Chloe Baxter’s To The Point on October 15 was followed by a second over 1300m (0-58) behind Tom Logan’s Malibu Edition on Melbourne Cup Day.
After contesting the Wet Season Series heat, Lucky Dog sealed second prize over 1000m (0-58) behind Kerry Petrick’s New Roman on New Year’s Eve and then over 1200m (0-58) behind Chris Nash’s Archie James on January 14 before playing second fiddle to Zoumist.
Starting his career in an 1100m maiden at Oakbank in September 2020 for Murray Bridge trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray, Lucky Dog was victorious before coming second 10 days later over 1200m (Class 2) at Strathalbyn.
His best result in his next five starts was a fourth over 1400m (BM54) at Balaklava before posting back to back wins at Oakbank in September 2021 over 1100m (BM56) and 1400m (Class 2).
Two more starts for Clarken and MacGillivray delivered little, so he was transferred to the stable of Darryl Oxlade at Port Augusta and managed a second over 1100m (BM60) and a third over 1100m (BM60) at Clare in November last year.
In six further starts for Oxlade, his best result was a third over 1000m (BM58) at Port Lincoln before Darwin became home.
Where Lucky Dog is aiming to win his first race for Pollard, who is having a decent season in the Top End with seven wins, Cudjerie is clearly the stable star.
The four-year-old mare made it six wins from her past nine starts last Friday with victory in Heat 5 of the Darwin Turf Club’s Summer Sprint Series (1100m) at 0-76 level.
The daughter of Star Turn debuted for Pollard in March last year and finished ninth in a 1000m maiden at Fannie Bay, but backed up two months later when fourth over 1100m (BM54).
An eighth in an 1100m maiden in June was followed by a ninth over 1000m (Class 2) in August, but suddenly Cudjerie clicked into gear and at present she is arguably one of the best horses running around in Darwin.
A win over 1000m (0-58) in September was followed by success over 1000m (Class 2) in October, 1200m (Class 2) in November, 1100m (0-70) in December and 1200m (0-70) in January.
During that winning streak, Pollard’s pride and joy was third over 1100m (BM70) and fourth over 1100m (Class 2) before her first start over 1300m on Australia Day proved a bridge too far when fifth behind Gary Clarke’s Mr Cashman in open company.
With Vanessa Arnott in the saddle, Cudjerie bounced back last Friday when finishing strongly to edge out Tom Logan’s in-form Poupee and is now a clear leader in the Summer Sprint Series with 24 points.
Noble War (Halter), Mr Cashman (Clarke) and New Roman are next on 11 points with three heats remaining.
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