A lack of suitable races in Adelaide led Avoid Lightning to Les Bridge’s Sydney team and the move reaped a stakes reward at Rosehill on Saturday.
Having her second start since being transferred to Bridge from trainer David Jolly in South Australia, Avoid Lightning ($6.50) got through the heavy going well to beat Plucky Belle ($5) in a photo finish to the Group Three Birthday Card Stakes.
Plucky Belle’s connections had a hard-luck tale as the mare was held up for clear running at a vital stage before powering home to within a short half-head of victory.
Avoid Lightning - Photo by Steve Hart
Winning jockey Tim Clark was thrilled Avoid Lightning was able to make amends after being luckless in her first start for Bridge in the Wenona Girl Quality.
“It’s good to get the win today because I thought she was a bit stiff not to win the other day,” Clark said.
Bridge said Avoid Lightning would likely progress to the Group Two Sapphire Stakes at Randwick on April 19.
“She came from Adelaide and they sent her over here because they couldn’t get the races to suit her and they thought we might get a few soft tracks,” Bridge said.
