Lightning Raider holds out favourites in Pelorus Classic

With eight wins behind him this season already, Second Wind was the hot favourite in Blenheim for the Pelorus 4YO Classic on Sunday. However it was not meant to be, with the Cran Dalgety-trained Lightning Raider spoiling the $40,000 Group 2 party at the Waterlea Raceway.

Drawing barrier seven, driver Dexter Dunn quietly eased Lightning Raider midfield as Second Wind took the early lead. Third favourite Lauraella moved outside the leader ensuring a quick pace before dropping into the trail. The movers came from the back with about 800 metres to run, leaving Lightning Raider in last biding his time.

Dunn made his move running wide onto the home straight as Second Wind led the charge. Before long second favourite, Joyfuljoy, had overtaken Second Wind but it was all eyes on Lightning Raider as he flew down the outside. The Christian Cullen gelding had too much gas left in the tank as the others fought hard to remain in contention.

Pacing the last 800 metres in a blistering 56.2 seconds, Lightning Raider won the Classic by one-and-a-half lengths. Joyfuljoy held on for second position, a neck in front of Lauraella. The winning time of 2.48.4 is the second fastest since the race began in 2003. Previous winners of the Pelorus Classic include Monkey King (2007) and Kiwi Ingenuity (2009).

Owned by Jim and Susan Wakefield, four-year-old Lightning Raider has now won eight of his 30 starts. Sunday’s race was his first Group win whilst the $25,000 winning stake was his highest, taking his lifetime earnings to $81,617.