Over the years, the Lightning Stakes has been a stallion-making race with the honour roll boasting horses the calibre of General Nediym, Testa Rossa, Choisir, Fastnet Rock and Nicconi.
Today's A$750,000, group one 1000m-sprint will be no different with five potential stallions lining up in the field of 13. Oneis four-year-old Spieth who makes his return following a heart-wrenching second behind Malaguerra in the Darley Classic last spring.
Trainer and ex-pat Kiwi Bryce Heys has identified the Lightning Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap start as ideal springboards into the Sydney carnival.
A win in the Lightning Stakes, or the Newmarket, would cement Spieth's career at stud. "He's exposed at group one level now with his Darley run and off that he's entitled to be given a preparation to win a Lightning or a Newmarket," Heys said.
"Those two races put you into another stratosphere as a stallion prospect. He's got to win one of these to prove his worth at stud."
Three-year-olds Flying Artie ($4) and Star Turn ($4.40) head Lightning betting with Spieth, who jumps from barrier five, on the next line at $6.
Meanwhile, champion jockey Joao Moriera has been given the green light by Hong Kong officials to ride Property in Saturday week's A$1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.
Property needs to be a late entry with the payment due by Monday.
