Lightning Baby strikes at Cambridge

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Lightning Baby struck through for her maiden win at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night when taking out the Hidden Lake Hotel & Apartments Mobile (2200m).

The daughter of Bettor’s Delight was given the perfect trip throughout, given a soft passage behind race favourite The Beaudster.

She scooted up the passing lane and despite racing fractiously in the closing stages, she was able to score a neck victory over The Beaudster, with a further 1-1/4lengths back to The Only Decision in third.

“On paper she looked like she was going to get a good trip following out the favourite and it all worked out well,” said Scott Phelan, who trains in partnership with Barry Purdon.

Bred and raced by Braeden and Caroline Whitelock, Lightning Baby is out of their multiple Group One-winning mare O’Baby and Phelan is hoping they can capture a stakes victory for her Manawatu connections.

“They are good owners and deserve all the success they get,” Phelan said.

“She will head to the Sires’ Stakes heat next week. She will need to step-up from that race tonight and keep on improving.

“She seems to keep on improving with the more racing she has had, so hopefully she steps up again next week.”

Meanwhile, Phelan is looking forward to racing at Addington Raceway on Friday where the stable has a handful of runners on the premier night.

The Clevedon barn will be represented by Southern Diamond and Halberg in the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3 – 2YO Mobile Trot (1980m), and Phelan is looking forward to doing the steering behind the latter.

“It was a long trip (down from Auckland) but they have travelled down well,” Phelan said.

“Halberg has got a good draw (3) and he will be in with a good chance.

“Southern Diamond has drawn the outside of the second row, but it might not be too bad of a draw. He follows out our other one which is pretty safe. He is a pretty nice horse so I expect him to be a good chance from wherever he drew.”

Phelan has also headed south with eight-win trotter Son Of Patrick who will start from behind the 20m tape in the Continental Even Hire Handicap Trot (2600m).

“He is good but just not used to these bigger fields,” Phelan quipped. “He will need a bit of luck, but he will be running on in the end.”

The most anticipated race of the night will be the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3 – 2YO C&G Mobile Pace (1980m) where stable runner Merlin will try and extend his unbeaten streak to eight from the outside of the front row, while stablemate Gandalf will be looking for a soft passage from the ace barrier.

“The draws have turned it into a great race, hopefully we are at the top-end at the end of the race,” Phelan said.