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| Dane Squance |
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Trainer Peter Moody has a healthy opinion of each of his three runners in Saturday’s $10m XXXX Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens but it would appear it’s Chain Of Lightning that is capturing his imagination.
Jamie Kah comes to Sydney to partner the mare and, while he has beaten Toorak Handicap favourite I Wish I Win as well as Group 1 placed Lightsaber in the race, Moody can’t help but point out what Chain Of Lightning has achieved so far.
“Ratings and form people probably suggest (I Wish I Win is the pick) but Chain Of Lightning is in great order,’’ Moody said.
“I’ve got a couple in very good form, one in not as good form as he should be in. But they are going there in good physical order.
“Her win was super the other day and she’s come on again.
“She’s won six from seven, she’s a winner and arguably should be undefeated. She’s in really tip top order.”
Chain Of Lightning’s only defeat came two starts ago on a heavy 9 track at Caulfield in the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) but she was back on top two weeks ago in taking out the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m).
She was a $6 chance with TAB on Thursday having drawn barrier two. I Wish I Win ($11) drew 14 while Lightsaber ($201) is alongside his stablemate in 15.
Moody said he expects the Golden Eagle to be truly run with a capacity field of 20 and several noted go-forward horses and just hopes each of his runners has their chance.
I Wish I Win had a hard luck story to tell after the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) where he lost his unbeaten Australian record after having to pass a vet check at the gates and settling well back in the finish before finishing fifth.
“The pattern of the day was against him, it was one of those days where nothing made ground,’’ Moody said.
“The race was controlled on speed and it took away his chances.”
The gelding, to be partnered by Luke Nolen, arrived at Moody’s stable as a Group 1 placegetter back in March behind Imperatriz but without high expectations.
“We thought we’d bring him over and at worst he would make a nice mile handicapper or country Cups type of horse,’’ he said.
“There’s a lot of nice races and if he went beyond that then so be it. His early form suggested he stepped beyond that straight away.”
The third of Moody’s runners Lightsaber has been a little out of form since he was beaten less than half a length in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) back in March by Hitotsu.
He concedes the entire has to lift after beating one home in a sales restricted race at Moonee Valley on October 21 but at the same time is prepared to say he’s had excuses.
“He’s had an interrupted prep for a variety of reasons. He had a heart arrhythmia two starts back when he expected him to win at Sandown.
“I thought his run at Moonee Valley was very good in restricted room, he didn’t get a chance to build so I’m looking for an improved performance from him but being honest he needs to improve as well.”
Chain Of Lightning’s connections selected the Foundation For Life Sciences as their charity partner, I Wish I Win is racing for Muscular Dystrophy Association NSW while Lightsaber has teamed with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.