Taranaki Winning Double - Win No.2 Lightning Field

28 April, 2022

Taranaki Winning Double - Win No.2 Lightning Field

 

Rounding out a good day for the stable on 27 April at Hawera, Lightning Field (5 g Deep Field - Claudine, by Lonhro) overcame a mishap to win the $12,000 South Taranaki Club Rating 74 1400 metres.

 

After Bak Da Master (Mastercraftsman) finished second and victory by Luxuriant (Iffraaj), Lightning Field made it two from three for trainer Mark Walker, but mid straight it appeared anything but likely.

Settled fifth on a true tempo by Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, who also rode Luxuriant, Lightning Field was angled clear 300m out when his footing slipped from off side stirrup before regaining control and finishing powerfully near outside rail.

“This is a huge effort,” said commentator Tony Lee. “How's he done this? How's the horse done this? He kicked an iron out when asking the horse to run, but he regained it and really began to stretch.”

On footing upgraded to Soft7 after race one, Lightning Field ran 1400 metres in 1:24.0 and paid $2.70 & 1.40 as tote favourite.

“It was incredible effort to pick up again and win, especially after he shied at a car or something near the outside rail and Joe (Kamaruddin) lost his iron,” said Walker, after preparing his 10thwinner, including four stakes' wins, since resuming as Te Akau trainer on 1 April.

“I think the give in the ground really helped him today and overall it was a very good win.”

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $95,000 at Karaka 2018 Book 1 Sale, from draft of Henley Park, and 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 last May at Ellerslie, and has won three times since.

Lightning Field produced terrific victory in a Rating 74 1200 metres on Legends Day (12 Feb.) at Te Rapa, was notable late from well back (33.5 600m) in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 5 March at Ellerslie, and although without same zest in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 2 April at Awapuni, his three wins on yielding ground suggested he could bounce back.

Stepped to 1400 metres appeared to suit, after placing in three of five at the trip, and he certainly looks capable of going on.

Lightning Field is a son of highly regarded Group 2 winner Deep Field, by ill-fated emerging stallion Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago) - a huge loss to the Australian stallion ranks.

Deep Field was leading Second Season Sire, Champion Third Season Sire by earnings and winners, and his yearlings have sold to $1m.

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

“He was always trying in his races and just required the physical strength before becoming a winner last season, and he's there now.

“I get such a thrill out of Joe (Kamaruddin) winning races for us. He's such a good person and is a very important part of the team. When you run a stable like ours, we rely on having great people like Joe who comes in after lunch and works in the afternoons when he's not riding race day.

“He rides work all morning and every day he's got a smile on his face, and is just so good for the morale of everybody.”

Lightning Field was strapped by Reece Trumper.

 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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