Lightning Stakes – 2022

Track: Good Weather: Fine

A quality field of nine sprinters have accepted for this years $1,000,000 Group 1 Lightning Stakes.  Seven geldings, two colts one mare make up the field.  Trainers Chris Waller & Team Corstens have two runners entered and eight of the nine are first up.  The early favourite in the betting is Nature Strip.  He is a seven time Group 1 winner and will be ridden by Jamie Kah who won this race on him last year.  The second favourite is Eduardo.  He is a dual Group 1 winner and has a strong first up record.

Home Affairs bolted in to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes at his last start here on Derby Day and is one of Australia’s most exciting three year olds.  Profiteer is unbeaten at Flemington and has been met with strong support in early betting markets.  Masked Crusader was second in last years Everest, while Gytrash won this race two years ago.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Nature Strip

Seven time Group 1 winning sprinter trained by Chris Waller.  Won The Everest & VRC Sprint Classic in the Spring.  Won this race first up last year.  Loves the straight and has finished in the top two at his last eight starts.  Deserved favourite.

2. Eduardo

Eight year old gelding trained by Joe Pride.  He has two wins fresh over Nature Strip and has trialled up well for this.  Expect Nash to take up the lead here on him.  Will take catching.

3. Masked Crusader

Resumes.  Was a huge run in The Everest getting back and flying home to just miss Nature Strip.  Likely to be spotting these a start but if the pace is on and he is in touch with 200m to go he is capable of getting home over the top of them.

4. Gytrash

South Australian gelding who won this race two years ago at big odds.  Ran well in the The Shorts first up last prep before failing in The Everest & the Classique Legend.  He has a very strong record both at the distance and down the straight and if he can find somewhere near his best he can figure here at a big price.

5. The Inferno

Finished second in the Group 1 Moir over this distance at Moonee Valley on September 24, then was safely held in the The Everest.  Think he is a place chance at best.

6. The Astrologist

Was third in the Standish over 1200m last start.  Back to 1000m doesn’t look to suit.  Prefer others.

7. Swats That

Resumes.  Was third in this race last year and finished 3.25 lengths behind Nature Strip over 1200m here in the VRC Sprint Classic before spelling.  Wouldn’t shock to see her run into the top four.

8. Home Affairs

First of the three year olds and the second of the Chris Waller runners.  Was heavily backed in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes here on October 30 where he found the front and put pay to his rivals in dominant fashion.  James McDonald comes down from Sydney to ride.  Key winning chance.

9. Profiteer

Talented colt trained by Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr.  Only fair in the Moir first up last prep, but ran well in his two subsequent runs.  Is unbeaten at the track and has trialled up very strongly at Cranbourne ahead of this first up assignment.   This looks a target race.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Nature Strip	2. Eduardo
2. Eduardo	1. Nature Strip
3. Masked Crusader	8. Home Affairs
4. Gytrash	3. Masked Crusader

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Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1100m)