Lightning Jack (NZ) in Stellar Summer Form

Bought for only $8000 at the 2018 Karaka May Sale, Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto) continued an outstanding summer with victory in Saturday’s $70,000 Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m) at Ascot Park.

After placing in two of his first five career starts, the Kelvin and Aimee Tyler-trained gelding began his breakthrough summer with a maiden win at Riverton in early December.

He stepped up to stakes level a month later and triumphed in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m), and Saturday was more of the same.

Ridden by Kylie Williams, Lightning Jack unleashed a withering finish from midfield and fought off Poniard (NZ) (Reliable Man) to win by a half-neck.

Lightning Jack has now had eight starts for three wins, two placings and $92,625 in stakes – more than 10 times his purchase price.

“I’ve said all along he is a good horse, and without being overconfident, we had expected him to do that again today,” Kelvin Tyler told NZ Racing Desk.

“She (Williams) rode him like the best horse in the field. When he got to the outside turning for home, I knew just what a turn of foot he has, so I was thinking then he was going to be hard to beat.

“He just keeps improving and he liked the step up in distance, so hopefully there is plenty more in store for him yet.”

Tyler mentioned the $100,000 Group Two Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham on March 14 as a possible next target for Lightning Jack.