Top sprinters clash in Lightning

Australian Horse of the Year and joint top-rated sprinter in the world Lankan Rupee (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) returns from a summer break in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. at Flemington Saturday, where he is set for an eagerly anticipated clash with Team Hawkes’ unbeaten 4-year-old Deep Field (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}) and Chris Waller’s top 3-year-old Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). 

Lankan Rupee won three Group 1 events last Autumn over 1100 and 1200 meters and added the G1 Manikato S. in October, yet he signed off his spring campaign with a slightly disappointing third to Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio) and Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in the G1 Darley Classic last time out. The 6-year-old gelding turned many heads on his latest public appearance in an 800-meter exhibition gallop at Caulfield last Saturday, a performance after which jockey Dale Smith, who was warming the seat until Craig Newitt’s return from Singapore for the big race, commented, “Whatever beats him wins. He ran it on his ear and absolutely steamed to the line.” Trainer Mick Price added, “He’s basically done now. I can’t do much more for him and the gallop was good for him.”

Alan Bell’s and Kia-Ora Stud’s Deep Field is yet to taste defeat in five starts but tackles Group 1 company for the first time. The full-brother to G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}) capped his spring campaign with a clear-cut victory over Gai Waterhouse’s Driefontein (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in a Group 2 event over 1200 meters, and has impressed in a pair of jump-outs ahead of his return to competition. “The straight five [furlongs] gives him the chance to use his speed and get the group 1, but it’s not going to be easy,” Bell told the Sydney Morning Herald. “John [Hawkes] and the boys have done a great job getting him ready for a race like this and not rushing it. We are hoping he can do the rest,” the owner added.

In stark contrast, Chris Waller was dismissive of Brazen Beau’s chances in the Lightning S. The 3-year-old colt was bought by Darley in December for a reported A$10 million on the back of his success in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and leased back to his 38 owners, who are eying a trip to Royal Ascot. He will face his elders for the first time Saturday, which prompted Waller to say, “I don’t think he can win on Saturday but gee he’s a good horse and you shouldn’t underestimate good horses.”