Lightning Strikes Again

Presented in tremendous order, Lightning Field (5 g Deep Field - Claudine, by Lonhro) made it two wins from last three starts on 19 November at New Plymouth, in $12,000 Primo Rating 65 1200 metres.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $95,000 at Karaka 2018 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Henley Park, owned by Te Akau Fine Field Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Lightning Field was duly rewarded after five seconds in nine starts with victory in May at Ellerslie, and scored second-up after resuming in Rating 65 1100 metres on 29 October at Hawera.

During a frustrating run of near misses in his previous campaign, including some unlucky runs, Lightning Field always appeared as though he could make it as a racehorse and benefitting from a spell, with more timber on his frame, he shapes to fulfil those expectations.

Prior to his win at Ellerslie, Lightning Field had run fastest last 600m (34.6) for second in Maiden 1400 metres earlier in May at Ruakaka, and franked the performance when coming from well back under Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, who again took the ride.

It was a special race for our apprentice "smiling Joe" who recorded his 50th career victory by winning this race!  Well done Joe!

Easing the burden by two kilos, to carry 56kg, Kamaruddin was happy to settle back from barrier nine, as a competitive pace ensued, and began tracking forward from 500m. Pushed up rounding the home turn, Lightning Field kicked into gear when asked to extend a furlong out and he charged home to win going away by one and a quarter lengths.

On footing that upgraded from Dead6 to Dead5 after race one, he ran 1200 metres in 1:11.0 and drifted in betting to pay $5.90 & $2.20 on NZ TAB tote.

Now a dual winner, with five seconds, Lightning Field has finished further back than fourth only once in 12 starts.

“It was a really good win,” said trainer Jamie Richards, who further explained his fresh-up run.

“He was a little bit disappointing first-up, but that was the day they had a really long float trip down there (Hawera) and being quite a restless sort of horse it probably didn't suit him.

“We gave him some time out in the paddock after that, spaced his next run, and he's come back and won really well. I thought he was aided by a good from Joe (Kamaruddin), despite being so far back in the field he had it under control and finished it off very well.

“He's won his second race now as a five-year-old and if he keeps running like that then there will be more in front of him.

“He has taken a long time to mature, and is not the easiest to handle around the stables but the staff do a really good job with him, particularly Parmar (Singh) who rides a majority of his work, and hopefully he can handle a rise in grade.”

Lightning Field is a son of Deep Field, a highly regarded Group 2 winner over 1200 metres and Group 1 placed over 1000 metres in Australia, winning five of eight starts, and Leading Second Season Sire.

By ill-fated emerging stallion and Champion First Season Sire Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago), who since proved a huge loss to Australian stallion ranks, Deep Field stands for $88,000 and his yearlings sold up to $800,000 last year in Australia.

Deep Field is a brother to Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Shooting to Win, their dam Listen Here (Elusive Quality) subsequently sold for nearly $4 million, while Northern Meteor is also the sire of Zoustar, Champion First, Second, & Third Season Sire.

Currently sixth for wins this season on Australian Sires' List, Deep Field is sire of Oakleigh Plate (Gr. 1, 1100m) winner Portland Sky and already sired over 20 stakes winners, including Roman Consul Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and Pago Pago Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) winner Cosmic Force.

David Ellis hit the nail on the head regarding Lightning Field, when saying: “Sometimes horses like him that are always trying, and seem genuine, and just require physical strengthening to become winners.”

“He was the first foal from a mare by an outstanding sire and broodmare sire (Lonhro) and line-bred to some terrific sires: Sir Tristram, Mr. Prospector, and Northern Dancer.

“I was really impressed when first inspecting him at Henley Park, and although wonderfully consistent he's taken that extra bit of time to get wins on the board. To my eye, he's kept improving and been finding the line like a horse that enjoys his job.”

Lightning Field was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz