Desert Lightning's poor draw raises doubts for Mornington return
The worst barrier allocation could hold up the scheduled launch of Desert Lightning's campaign at Mornington.
In Saturday's 17-nomination Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), Desert Lightning has the widest draw among 17, shouldering 60kg under jockey Luke Nolen.
With a maximum of 15 starters on Saturday and two emergencies listed.
Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the horse resumes first-up on Saturday, not seen since spring's Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley in October last year.
Coleman stated they will decide if facing the expansive draw on Saturday is worth it or better to postpone.
"He's really just there first-up for a fitness run, so we'll have a good look at the race and see whether we save him for another day," Coleman said.
"It's not the end of the world."
According to Coleman, Desert Lightning's current form suggests a likely venture to Queensland's Winter Carnival.
Last June at Eagle Farm, Desert Lightning was fourth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), and it's back on his trainers' agenda this season.
For a seasoned runner, Coleman observed Desert Lightning is in fine fettle heading into winter.
"He's trialled really nicely this time," Coleman said.
"He's nice and fresh, he seems in a good headspace for an older horse. He's really enjoying his work.
"Whether he runs first-up on Saturday, or whether we wait another day, we'll make that decision, but I think he can run well if we decide to go there."
Fellow stable runner She's Got Pizzazz earned a spot in the 15-horse lineup, taking barrier 8 with Linda Meech to ride.
Coleman pointed out that moisture in the Mornington track would benefit She's Got Pizzazz, following two outings post-break at 1100m each.
Mornington was rated Soft 5 at Wednesday's acceptance stage.
"She's ideally looking for 1400 metres now, but she needs another one at the 1200 (metres) to bring her on fitness wise," Coleman said.
"She needs soft ground as well to see her at her best, so we'll be on weather watch a little bit there as well."
Check the top online bookmakers for Hareeba Stakes betting options.
More Racing News
Thrilling Scone Cup success for in-form Hellsing
Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Hellsing has entered excellent shape and notched his finest victory yet in the Listed $200,000 Arrowfield Scone Cup (1600m) held at Scone on Friday.On his 10th run in a preparation exceeding six months, Hellsing is thriving more than ever, building on a Royal Randwick...
Trainer Moloney sees ongoing enhancement in Hearcomesthestar
Improvement has marked every preparation, and John Moloney, the trainer, expects additional development from Hearcomesthestar in her upcoming appearance at Flemington.From 28 races, Hearcomesthestar has notched six wins and eight places, but Stakes grade has proven challenging for her.The approaching six-year-old earned a Listed placing at Geelong earlier this year,...
Searle family from SA chasing Melbourne Cup dream with Sir Kingsford
Gary and Nichole Searle, together with their daughter Brianna Callanan, form a South Australian training outfit with ambitions for Sir Kingsford in the Melbourne Cup.A victory in Saturday's Listed Andrew Ramsden (3200m) at Flemington earns the winner a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption ahead of the big November event.Nichole Searle sampled...
Scone's Luskin Star Stakes sees Estadio Mestalla with tough weight
Trainer Joe Pride questions the two-kilo advantage given to a Group 1 winner over Estadio Mestalla in the Luskin Star Stakes, but trusts the steady gelding to deliver full commitment.At seven years old, he notched his top triumph in the prior year's Listed Winter Stakes (1100m) and must shoulder 61kg...
Barrier 18 no hindrance to Sequista's Scone return
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou believe filly Sequista has the class for black-type success despite her tendency to undermine herself.Having notched stakes placings in the 2024 Inglis Nursery (1000m) and run near the placings in Tempted's Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m), the three-year-old targets another milestone in Saturday's Listed Denise's...
Flemington awaits Concord Connie's next bold move
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield hopes her talented filly Concord Connie can replicate her recent feat before entertaining grander aspirations.In her third race appearance at Flemington on Anzac Day, Concord Connie notched a breathtaking win by six lengths in sharp time.This Saturday, the filly heads back to Flemington to compete against the...
Dark Jewel Classic in sights for Harlem Queen
While Harlem Queen didn't sustain her early promise from age three, trainer Nathan Doyle feels confident after her trouble-free lead-up that she might restore reliable results.She returns Saturday in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) held at Scone, where despite preferring stamina tests ahead, barrier five positions her well for Doyle's...
Flemington run to decide Different Gravy's Queensland Derby chances
At Flemington, Different Gravy will put his Queensland Derby dreams to the test in upcoming action.Following a Listed triumph over 1800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, trainer Henry Dwyer fixed his focus on the northern Derby.The Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm scheduled for May...
Abounding's scratch lets Napoleonic into Doomben 10,000 lineup
Confirmation has arrived that Napoleonic will join the Doomben 10,000 field, following Abounding's removal which opened the door for the colt in the elite Group 1 dash.Team members experienced a stressful seven days after the three-year-old earned second emergency status for the $1.5 million event, as reserve Beadman claimed a...
Snowden's stable loaded with top sprinters for feature clashes
Boasting a stable full of high-caliber sprinters primed for black-type action, trainer Peter Snowden enjoys the luxury of picking and choosing among several prestigious races.Just a couple of weeks earlier, Zealously claimed victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), followed by King Of Roseau and Beadman grabbing interstate stakes wins...