2022 SAJC Lightning Stakes Race Details

Race 8 at Morphettville on Saturday 30 July 2022.

The SAJC Lightning Stakes is a 1050 metre set weights race for two and three-year-olds run by the South Australian Jockey Club in late July and is normally the last black-type race of the Australian racing year. It is held at Morphettville as the feature race of the meeting. Total prizemoney is $107,250.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the SAJC Lightning Stakes page.

SAJC Lightning Stakes 2022 Preview

Track: Soft  Weather: Overcast

Twelve runners have accepted for the $107,250 Listed Lightning Stakes and they are all three-year-olds. There are seven fillies, three geldings and two colts. Four of the runners are sired by I Am Invincible and Tony & Calvin McEvoy have two runners. Five horses are trained in South Australia and seven in Victoria.

The early favourite is Extremely Lucky who has two wins and a place from four starts and was a 4.1 length winner at this track and distance last time he raced. Second favourite is Scorched Earth who resumes after 22 weeks and was placed at Group 3 level at her last two starts. Third in the market is Kallos who won the Group 2 Danehill Stakes over 1100m at Flemington last October.

I Am Bene has two wins and a place from her three starts. Unflinching has three wins from four starts, while Royal Dress has had three wins from five starts. The other runners are 20 to 1 or longer.

2022 SAJC Lightning Stakes Runner by Runner

1. Kallos (3)

This Medaglia D’oro colt is trained by James Cummings who won this race with Bandipur in 2017. He has two wins and a place from seven starts. is first-up after a 25 week spell and has trialled well. Should race on the speed and shouldn’t be far away.

2. Unflinching (6)

One of the I Am Invincible runners (the others are I Am Bene, Royal Dress and Mietta). He won his first three races by good margins, then finished 8.75 lengths 5th in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield where he had mucus post-race. Resumes after 6 months and can figure in the finish.

3. Magic Max (8)

This Magnus gelding is trained by Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle at Morphettville (Gordon Richards won this race with Vargna back in 2000). He has had 13 starts, which is more than any other runner, but has been to Morphettville seven times without winning. Prefer others.

4. Keep Reading (2)

Has two wins and five places from seven starts so has always made the trifecta. Has finished 2nd at his last two starts and is one of the chances.

5. Extremely Lucky (12)

Drawn the outside barrier. Didn’t have the best of luck when 3.6 lengths 5th in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes over 1200m at Morphettville on 7 May, then won by 4.1 lengths at this track and distance on 21 May. Trainer Will Clarken and jockey Todd Pannell combined to win this race with Beau Rossa last year and have a great chance to do it again.

6. Scorched Earth (7)

This Nicconi filly has four wins and four places from 11 starts. She finished 0.1 length 2nd in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield on 12 February, then was 1.3 lengths 3rd in the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes over 1200m at Moonee Valley on 25 February. Resumes from a 22 week spell. Jockey Jessica Eaton won this race on Parlophone in 2020. One of the main chances.

7. I Am Bene (5)

Trained at Strathalbyn, this I Am Invincible filly won her first 2 starts at Gawler then Morphettville before working home strongly for 2.8 lengths 2nd in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes over 1200m at Morphettville on 21 May. Should be in the finish.

8. Ojosan (4)

This Mikki Isle filly is looking for a hatrick after winning two in a row at Caulfield and Wangaratta. Has gone well on a softer track. Not the worst.

9. Calla Dream (9)

She has four wins and four places from 12 starts and is a last-start winner on a soft track at Morphettville Parks. Could surprise.

10. Royal Dress (1)

One of two runners for Tony & Calvin McEvoy. She was a seven length winner over 1002m at Donald last start. Nicely drawn in barrier 1 but this is much harder.

11. Mietta (10)

The other McEvoy winner. Unbeaten in two starts – both at Ballarat Synthetic. Not the worst.

12. No Baby No (11)

This Shooting To Win filly has a win and seven places from 10 starts so has a great place strike rate. Prefer others.

SAJC Lightning Stakes 2022 Tips

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

Jo’s Tips
5 Extremely Lucky
7  I Am Bene
6 Scorched Earth
2 Unflinching

Previews for other races this week

Listed Winter Challenge 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

2022 SAJC Lightning Stakes Results

Result Horse Margin
1st 5 Extremely Lucky
2nd 9 Calla Dream 0.9 length
3rd 1 Kallos 2.3 lengths
4th 7 I Am Bene 4.8 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: –