Chain Of Lightning bolts clear in Birthday Card Stakes
The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Chain Of Lightning (+1500) has stormed away in the Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) in the final event at Rosehill on Saturday.
It comes after the five-year-old mare was unable to make up the ground from the rear of the field in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 24, with the training duo making the decision to head north for the contest against the fillies & mares.
She produced a withering burst to score, while the likes of Tashi (+550) and Wee Nessy (+1500) were left playing for the minor money a long way out.
Back to racing against her own sex has seemingly done the trick for the daughter of Fighting Sun, picking up her first win since October of 2022.
2024 Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes Replay – Chain Of Lightning
Peter Moody was on course to credit his mare for the victory and alluded to the conditions being a major factor in the decision to head to Rosehill on Saturday.
“She’s raced without luck for probably 18 months, two years and it’s the first time she’s run on a track where she can get her toe in,” said Moody.
“She’s been racing on rock-hard tracks, which just don’t suit her, so we came here with a good deal of confidence even though it’s been a long time between drinks.
“Blake kept her happy and balanced and got the job done nicely.”
Blake Shinn brought up win number three for Golden Slupper Day in the Rosehill finale and described the feeling before praising his mount.
“It’s a hard day to ride a winner, so (to ride) three winners, it’s very special,” said Shinn.
“She’s got a lot of class, she’s been running quite well in, I thought, stronger races than this today.
“Her run in the Oakleigh Plate was good. It was not ideal from the draw getting three wide no cover but she travelled sweet and her class shone through.”
Sadly, throughout the running of the Birthday Card Stakes, Kerrin McEvoy become dislodged from the Brad Widdup-trained Tintookie who broke down on course with 400m to travel.
Kerrin McEvoy was conscious while being assessed by ambulance staff and being treated for apparent back and hip injuries.
McEvoy has been taken to hospital for precautionary scans.
Unfortunately, Tintookie was humanely euthanased on course.