Track: Good Weather: Fine

Eleven are set to line up in the time honoured $1,000,000 Group 1 Lightning Stakes.  The champ Nature Strip resumes and is looking to win his second Lightning Stakes.  Can he do it at age 8?  The Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win is here as is promising sprinter Marabi.  Should be a cracking betting race with a lot of angles for those that think Nature Strip could be vulnerable.

1. Nature Strip

Won this race two years ago and was second in it last year.  Won The Shorts over 1100m first up in the spring then beaten less than a length in the Everest and VRC Sprint Classic jumping odds on in both.  Isn’t getting any younger but is still the one they have to get past.

2. I Wish I Win

Had a very good spring campaign winning three of his four starts including the $10 million Golden Eagle.  He is clearly going to be better as he get out over further but is not hopeless if they over do it in front.

3. Baller

He won the Bobbie Lewis here last prep before placing in the Gilgai and VRC Sprint Classic.  1000m is the query.

4. Fire

Nice horse but this is a big step up in class from the benchmark races he has been contesting.

5. Bella Nipotina

Was terrific run in the Moir before bolting in in the Manikato.  Maps to stalk the speed with an inform Ben Melham in the saddle.  Each way chance.

6. Roch ‘N’ Horse

Has two wins and two seconds from four starts here, including 2x Group 1’s.  Prefer her over 1200m but is capable of running a race here first up.

7. September Run

Was second in this race behind Nature Strip in 2021.  Could surprise.

8. Marabi

Resumes off an 11 month spell.  Has won 7 of 8 and has jumped out well.  Could lob in the perfect spot behind the speed.  Chance

9. Buenos Noches

Lightly raced colt who resumes in his second preparation.  His narrow second to Giga Kick here in the Danehill reads well, then given no chance when a very good third in the Coolmore.  Gets a huge jockey change here and is the one with the most scope to improve.  The 1000m is an unknown but its easy to make a case for him at double figure odds.

10. Millane

Gets Blinkers first time and a firm track will be to his liking.  Could surprise for a place at big odds.

11. Coolangata

Speedy customer trained by Maher and Eustace.  Won the Moir over the 1000m at the Valley in the spring and then was far from disgraced in the Coolmore.  Chance.

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

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
11 Coolangatta	1 Nature Strip
9 Buenos Noches	11 Coolangatta
5 Bella Nipotina	8 Marabi
8 Marabi	2 I Wish I Win