Trainer Les Bridge has been thrilled with the condition displayed by talented mare Avoid Lightning this time and is confident she is more than a chance of success in Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) on the Gold Coast; particularly on a rain-affected running surface.
Avoid Lightning will be suited to a wet track in the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
The stable star for Bridge, Avoid Lightning was rated an outsider in the 2014 edition of the Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm but produced an impressive final straight sprint to finish a close third behind Cosmic Endeavour and Angel Of Mercy.
Confident she has contested an even-greater lead-in to this year’s feature race on the Gold Coast; Bridge told the Courier Mail he is expecting Avoid Lightning to be right in the finish of the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara.
“The wetter the better,” Bridge said.
“She’s won a Group 2 and Group 3 since last year and she’s going just as well now.
“The wet track is the key to her. A heavy track will knock half the field out before we even begin.”
Gold Coast track manager Steve Andrews revealed the surface is more than likely to play directly into the strengths of Avoid Lightning on Saturday.
“They are tipping fine weather for the next two day and I hope that’s right,” he said on Thursday.
“If I was a supreme optimist I would say we could get back to a soft 6 but the reality is we’re probably looking at no better than a soft 7 if the forecast is right.”
Avoid Lightning returned to racing for just one start through the Spring Carnival but made in count when taking out the Group 3 The Nivison (1200m) with relative ease.
Running third in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) first-up this time, the Blevic mare was unable to figure when tenth in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) on March 21st but responded in the best way possible when taking out the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) on April 11th.
Having since finished eighth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and second in the Listed June Stakes (1100m), Avoid Lightning will relish a step-up to 1400m for the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara and has been confirmed to be partnered by regular hoop Tim Clark.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara odds, for which Avoid Lightning can be taken at a quote of $7 for success.
