Lord Looks to Reign Down Under

The Goodwood H. is South Australia’s most important sprint race, and it has also been won by some of Australia’s best-ever sprinters, including Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}) and Takeover Target (Aus) (Celtic Swing {GB}) prior to their respective successful trips to Royal Ascot. While none of this year’s entrants appear to have those aspirations, it is nonetheless a competitive lineup. Local trainer Philip Stokes sends out co-heavyweight Hucklebuck (Aus) (Elvstroem {Aus}), who returns home after going two-for-two at Flemington in the spring, including the G1 Emirates S. at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The 4-year-old gelding has not run since that Nov. 8 contest, but he has won a pair of local trials in the leadup to this and has a strong first-up record. Lucky Hussler (Aus) (Husson {Arg}) is another recent Group 1 winner, having taken Moonee Valley’s G1 William Reid S. Mar. 27 prior to finishing sixth in the G1 All Aged S., widely considered the strongest race of the year in Australia. Regular rider Glen Boss stays aboard. Getting a weight break from those two is Lord of the Sky (Aus) (Danerich {Aus}) who, late in his 4-year-old career, appears to be rounding into top form. He finished fourth in the G1 Newmarket H. Mar. 14 prior to running a career best when second to Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in the A$2.5 million G1 TJ Smith S. at The Championships Apr. 6.