Co-trainer Greg Lee is confident that Lightz will return a far-more furnished horse in Saturday’s Listed The Rosebud (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
Lightz will have to overcome the likes of Siege Of Quebec (pictured) in The Rosebud on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart
By Golden Slipper winner Sepoy and out of fellow Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, Lightz failed to live up to his impressive pedigree throughout his two-year-old campaign and was sent to the paddock after beating only one runner home in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) on March 4th.
Lee told AAP that the horse was simply too young to compete with the top-line two-year-olds through the recent Autumn Carnival, but believes that he will be a far-greater prospect throughout the forthcoming Spring Carnival.
“He’s a November foal, that’s what beat him last time,” Lee said.
“We thought we’ll have a crack at getting him to the Slipper but he just wasn’t mature enough.
“He’s more horse this preparation. He’s matured right up.”
Lee is confident that the horse will only improve as he begins to find middle distances and underlined the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) as the major target for Lightz this time in.
“We think we’ll run 1400 metres to a mile so we’re going to have a crack at the Caulfield Guineas,” Lee said.
“They’re the sorts of races we have in mind.
“It’s only a matter of time. He’s just quality. He’s just a natural.”
Trialling well in the lead-up to his competitive debut, Lightz placed third in the Kirkham Plate (1000m) in early October, but was returned to the paddock after beating only one runner home in the Pierro Plate (1100m) on October 29th.
Resuming for fourth in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1100m) on February 4th, Lightz progressed to fifth of seven runners in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m), in what was his only other start prior to the Todman Stakes.
Eight horses were confirmed in this morning’s The Rosebud final field and Lightz has been charged with overcoming the likes of Menari, Diamond Tathagata and Siege Of Quebec.
Lightz is currently considered a $41 outsider in The Rosebud betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.
