Lightning Stakes Showdown for Bloodstock Super Powers

Tara Madgwick - Friday February 14

The Group I VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday features $1million in prizemoney, so is a nice enough prize to win, but from a bloodstock perspective this race has the potential to be pivotal.

A field of 12 have accepted for this  WFA contest and without wanting to disrespect the older horses engaged it does look a race that will be won by one of a trio of highly talented three year-old colts and they represent three of the most powerful entities in world bloodstock, not just Australia.

Switzerland was on fire winning the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring - image Grant Courtney

Race favourite is Snitzel colt Switzerland who was bred by Arrowfield Stud and sold at Inglis Easter to Tom Magnier for $1.5million. He runs in the Coolmore navy blue for an ownership group headed by Coolmore and their various partners and has won five of seven starts earning $1.8million.

Last seen winning the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring, Chris Waller has him well tuned for a first up tilt with James McDonald to ride him in preference to Cox Plate queen Via Sistina (IRE), who resumes in Sydney in the Group II ATC Apollo Stakes…. that probably is a tip in itself.

Growing Empire tested older rivals in the spring, but is still chasing his first G1 win - image Grant Courtney

Yulong cut a swathe through the spring racing and their star three year-old colt was Growing Empire, who finished his spring with three G1 races finishing second beaten a whisker in the MVRC Manikato Stakes to Southport Tycoon, third to Bella Nipotina in the ATC The Everest beaten a length and a half and then third in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, when he race a little tired to my eye.

A $750,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Yulong from Vinery Stud, the son of Zoustar has four wins and four placings from eight starts earning $2.9million and unlike Switzerland is yet to win a G1, so has that box to tick.

Both Switzerland and Growing Empire have siblings entered for Inglis Easter this year.

Advertisement

Arrowfield Stud will offer a full brother to Switzerland as Lot 76 and Vinery Stud will offer a full sister to Growing Empire as Lot 58.

Traffic Warden won the G2 Run to the Rose - image Steve Hart

A homebred for Godolphin, Traffic Warden is a rung below the top two colts on exposed form as a two time Group II winner with two G1 placings, but has shown flashes of brilliance and has beaten Switzerland twice in races where that colt under performed. Traffic Warden won the Group II ATC Run to the Rose in which Switzerland ran ninth and he was also fourth in the Golden Slipper in which Switzerland ran eighth.

By Anamoe’s sire Street Boss (USA), Traffic Warden is a documented bleeder, so would be managed accordingly and you can’t help thinking this colt will be as ready as he can be for this assignment, albeit coming off the worst run of his career in the Coolmore Stud Stakes when he was lacklustre to say the least.

Three year-olds have won two of the last three runnings of the Lightning Stakes with mighty mare Imperatriz the winner last year, so let’s take a look at those fields when victory went to 3YO colt Home Affairs in 2022 and 3YO filly Coolangatta in 2023.

The big question is are Switzerland, Growing Empire and Traffic Warden as good as the 3YO's above?

Advertisment
More Reading...
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish.