SAJC Lightning Stakes – 2021

Track: Heavy   Weather: Showers

Thirteen have accepted for the $107,250 Listed Lightning Stakes.  Eleven are 3 year old’s and two are 2 year old’s.  Esta La Rocca and Peggy Selene are the only two to meet at their last start.  Will Clarken has a very strong hand with three runners, while Team McEvoy have two runners entered in the race.  Five of the remaining eight are Victorian trained.  The favourite in the early betting is Beau Rossa.  He is first up off an Autumn Campaign which saw him win three races including the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes over 1200m.  On the next line of betting is Team McEvoy’s Maha.  She is a last start Gawler winner and will be looking to come across and race on the pace from her wide gate.

Esta La Roca is another with plenty of speed and will be partnered by Jake Toeroek who rode his five-hundredth winner during the week.  Dirty Thoughts finished third first up at Flemington and has proven herself in testing conditions – she won a race on a bottomless track at Moonee Valley last spring.  Valaquenta is one of four horses resuming, while Zoushine maps to take a sit and could be suited if they go too quick in front.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Beau Rossa

Beau Rossa resumes here after an excellent Autumn campaign which saw him win three races.  He progressed quickly from benchmark 64 grade to win the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes at this track before failing in the Group 1 Goodwood and being sent for a spell.  Quality galloper and a leading chance here.

2. Valaquenta

Resumer from the Godolphin yard.  He stormed home to win a three year old handicap at his last start at Sandown in May.  First go on a heavy track which is some query if you like him but he should be suited by a genuine tempo.

3. Larimer Street

The Jolly camp have given Larimer Street a month between runs into this.  He is up in grade here and may be left with plenty to do from an outside barrier.  Looking elsewhere.

4. Kong

Resumes in his second preparation.  He was a last start winner of a weak Kilmore maiden and is likely to be big odds here.  Not for me.

5. Maha

Maha has three wins and a second from her ten starts.  She lead and kicked away to win well at Gawler last start.  Look for her spearing across from barrier eleven to try and find a spot up on speed.  One of the each way chances.

6. Esta La Roca

Lloyd Kennewell brings this daughter of El Roca across from Victoria.  She was too speedy first up at Sandown, then fought on well when second at Caulfield behind the smart Malkovich last start.  Another who will make her own luck up on speed.

7. Zoushine

One of the Tony & Calvin McEvoy runners.  She drops back in trip after a first up win over 1200m at Murray Bridge.  In the mix.

8. Dirty Thoughts

Did a reasonable job to run third as a well fancied favourite first up at her home track of Flemington.  Fitter for that and unlike some of these is proven in testing conditions.

9. Peggy Selene

The tongue tie goes on after a disappointing Caulfield run on June 26.  Not sure she has the class to be winning here.

10. Parlophone

Won this race last year as a two year-old.  She is a quirky filly who has been prone to buck jumping after leaving the gates, however she has a big turn of foot on her day and could be suited here by a fast speed.  Roughie with a chance.

11. Naleigh

Her one win from six starts came at this track and distance but she is sharply up in grade here.  Looking elsewhere.

12. Bleriot

Bolted in by seven lengths at Murray Bridge on June 19 but her two runs since have been disappointing.  Needs to improve.

13. Bolsonaro

Lightly raced two year old filly trained by Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray at Murray Bridge.  She was safely held at her two listed runs during the Autumn.  Prefer to watch her first up.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
5. Maha	1. Beau Rossa
1. Beau Rossa	5. Maha
8. Dirty Thoughts	8. Dirty Thoughts
10. Parlophone	2. Valaquenta

The track was rated as Heavy 10.

Scratchings: 2. Valaquenta, 12. Bleriot.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Beau Rossa
2nd	10 Parlophone
3rd	6 Esta La Roca
4th	5 Maha