It has taken more than 35 years, but trainers Jim and Greg Lee might finally have a Golden Slipper runner on their hands with Lightz shaping as an early hope for the $3.5 million race.
The son of Slipper winners Sepoy and Polar Success certainly has the pedigree to get there.
And Greg Lee believes the colt also has the quality after a promising debut over 1000m at Randwick on October 8 where he chased home speedy Chris Waller-trained filly Luiza and $1.1 million colt Showtime, trained by Hawkes Racing.
“He was a bit stiff in his first run,” Lee told AAP.
“He missed the kick and he had to make up too much ground early.
“He looks like he can handle another run and he’s gone right ahead since his first run.”
Lightz is primed for his second start at Rosehill on Saturday where he is set to race in the $150,000 Pierro Plate (1100m).
“I expect him to go very close to winning that race,” Lee said.
Lightz is raced by the brothers’ long-time client Fred Khedoori who has been sending them horses for 33 years.
While the stable, which is named for their 1983 Caulfield Cup winner Hayai, has focused on stayers, dual Group Three winner Fouardee, also owned by Khedoori, was a handy sprinter in the early 2000s.
“I went to the sales and bought Fouardee the same as I went and bought this fella,” Lee said.
While Fouradee was picked out at the Classic Sale last century, Lightz was the first horse they had bought from Sydney’s Easter Yearling Sale where he cost $150,000 earlier in the year.
Fresh from finishing his apprenticeship under the Lees, jockey Koby Jennings will again ride Lightz.
“He’s got a great pair of hands. That’s what makes him such a good jockey,” Lee said.
Their other runner in the nine-horse Pierro Plate is more in tune with the Lees’ traditional staying mould.
“Don’t be surprised if you see him as a three-year-old running in a race like the Derby,” Lee said.
“He’s bred to get over a bit of ground but he can make it as a two-year-old because he’s out of a More Than Ready ready mare.
“The mother was unraced but the family’s pedigree is impeccable.”
