Desert Lightning (NZ) Adds to Karaka 2021 Legacy with Goodwood Triumph

Following Wigmore's (NZ) (Sweynesse) gallant Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) win, Desert Lightning (NZ) Pride of Dubai) delivered a Group One Adelaide Carnival double for Karaka graduates with a thrilling victory in Saturday’s A$1m Sportsbet Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville. In doing so, he became the ninth graduate of Karaka 2021 to win at Group One level in Australia.

Desert Lightning was offered by Little Avondale Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where Peter and Dawn Williams bought him for $150,000 on behalf of Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer. Desert Lightning has earned A$2.23m – more than 18 times his purchase price.

Now a Group One winner on both sides of the Tasman, Desert Lightning has joined a Karaka 2021 honour roll of Australian Group One winners that also features, in alphabetical order, Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) in the Australasian Oaks (2000m), Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) in the South Australian Derby (2500m), Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m), Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the Queensland Derby (2400m), Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in the Australian Guineas (1600m), Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

Big-race success is nothing new for Desert Lightning, who began his career in the Peter and Dawn Williams stable and won five races for them including the Group One TAB Classic (1600m), Group Two Avondale Guineas (2100m) and $1m Aotearoa Classic (1600m). He also placed behind Prowess in the $1.5m Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and picked up Group One placings in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m).

Since transferring across the Tasman and into the stable of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Desert Lightning has won the Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m) and So You Think Stakes (1500m), run second in the Group Two PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m), and finished fourth in the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) and Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

The only thing missing was a big-time victory in Australia, and on Saturday he got it in the Goodwood. With Sarah Green and her husband Chris on course, Desert Lightning produced an irresistible finish under jockey Luke Nolen and edged out the favourite Extragalactic (Deep Field) by a half-head. It was a memorable battle down the Morphettville straight, with only a length covering the first five horses home.

“He's been flying at home,” Nolen said. “He had a tough run when he was fourth with 60 kilos on his back first-up in the Hareeba (Listed, 1200m). The camp and myself had genuine hopes that he could win the race here today. He had a winnable weight and an economical run in the race. I presented him to win the race, but I just wasn’t sure on the line whether we’d got it or not.

“The horse has been going really well, so I think the next port of call is Queensland for another go at the Stradbroke. He sprinted well today on soft ground, there's a lot of options for him, so I'll leave it in the camp's capable hands, the way he goes off the back of it, but I'll be joining him wherever he goes.

“The Greens, they come over from New Zealand and watch him run every time. They keep reinvesting in the camp at home as well, so they're very good people, and they've never pressured us with this horse at all.

“He came across from New Zealand with very nice form, and they just allowed Peter and Katherine to do their thing. And they're just wonderful racing fans, and it's great to see connections like this rewarded with good races.

“It was good to see him turn that confidence we've had at home and in his work into winning a Group One here in Australia.”

Coleman described Desert Lightning as a real stable favourite.

“He's such a tough horse and he's such a character,” Coleman said. “He's a genuine stable favourite. You know, we just all adore him. His owners, Chris and Sarah Green, they've travelled from New Zealand all the way to Adelaide today to be here for this. He's a part of their family and it's just so special.

“We thought he was going to be a horse that would stretch out over ground, but he seems to be best when he's fresh and happy and bouncing, and that's how he is today, so it’s great. It was a fantastic ride from Luke Nolen as well.”

Vendor	Little Avondale Stud
Purchaser	PJ & DM Williams (Auckland)
Breeding	Pride Of Dubai – Isstoora
Sale	Lot 454, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $150,000
Breeder	Mahoenui Partnership
Owner	Barneswood Farm Ltd for S C Green & G C Beemsterboer