Desert Lightning delivers Moody repeat Goodwood success

Peter Moody, now based with Katherine Coleman, has taken out the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) once more, echoing his achievement 14 years prior when Black Caviar dominated in 2012.

Both triumphs came with Luke Nolen in the saddle; Black Caviar's win by 1.3 lengths was tighter than usual for the superstar, while Desert Lightning's edge needed time to be official amid the anticipation at Morphettville.

The $18 chance, a six-year-old gelding, fended off $3.50 favourite Extragalactic by a mere half head for the prize, as Grand Larceny ($17) trailed by half a length in third.

Desert Lightning, who tackled the New Zealand Derby at 2400m in the past, has focused on 1400-1600m races in Australia, but Coleman highlighted how well-spaced runs kept him sharp and fresh.

"He's so quirky, he's got so much character," Coleman said.

"He's an older gelding, normally, they're the quiet ones that know their job and they don't cause too much fuss.

"Well, he carries on out there like a two-year-old, a cult most mornings and upsets other horses on the track and bounces around the stable.

"We thought he was going to be a horse that would stretch out over ground as well, but he just seems he's best when he's fresh and happy and bouncing, and that's how he is today, so it's great and a fantastic ride from Luke Nolen as well."

Starting from midfield, Nolen swung wide to the firmer path in the home straight, holding on desperately as Extragalactic closed strongly, thwarting a first elite-level win for trainer Trent Edmonds and jockey Luke Cartwright.

"That drone kept following me around everywhere," Nolen said.

"I thought, oh, it must be a bloody chance.

"Lukey Cartwright, he does a bit of work for Moody. He's a great little kid, his time is going to come, he's at the start of his career, I'm a long way towards the end of mine.

"So I'm getting every one of these good races I can before we knock up time."

"The horse has been going really well, so I think the next port of call is Queensland for another go at the Stradbroke.

"He sprinted well then on soft ground, there's a lot of options for him, so I'll leave it in the camp's capable hands the way he goes off the back of it, but I'll be joining him wherever he goes."

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