KEY POINTS:
MELBOURNE - Ticklish will be attempting to become the first New Zealand-trained galloper to win the Lightning Stakes (1000m) when she lines up against eight rivals at Moonee Valley tomorrow.
The 6-year-old daughter of Maroof is one of a strong line-up of mares in the A$500,000 ($560,000) weight-for-age
group one feature, the others being Miss Andretti, Rewaaya and Virage De Fortune, who have already won at the highest level.
Few New Zealanders have taken on the cream of Australia's sprinters in the Lightning.
One that did was outstanding colt Our Maizcay, who was sent out the 8-11 favourite in the 1996 edition but went amiss, finished out of the money to Gold Ace and did not race again.
Ticklish, prepared by Steven Pinfold, arrived in Melbourne this week and assistant trainer Tracey Newton said the mare had travelled well.
"She's done well since she's been here. She's a good traveller and we're very happy with her," Newton said.
"I just took her for a walk this morning and she was bright and looks good."
Ticklish is a 1000m specialist, according to Newton, having had seven runs at the trip for four wins and two seconds.
"She's broken two track records in New Zealand. She's probably limited to 1000m. I don't think she'll get any further than that but she flies over 1000," Newton said.
Ticklish is coming off a last-start fifth to Darci Brahma in the group one Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on January 20.
"She led them up until the last 150m and then they got past her," Newton said.
"That was a very good run. We were very happy with that."
The last of the mare's eight wins from 30 starts was three starts back in the listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton when resuming on November 11.
Greg Childs will take the mount on Ticklish, who drew nicely in barrier two.
"We'll probably use her from the draw because she's really fast out of the gates," Newton said.
Pinfold has 20 horses in work at Byerley Park at Karaka in South Auckland.
Fillies and mares have a good recent record in the Lightning, which is usually run down the straight 1000m at Flemington, with winners including Regimental Gal (2004), Spinning Hill (2002) and Isca (1999).
And with Manikato Stakes winner Miss Andretti (barrier one), Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Rewaaya (five) and Virage De Fortune (six), an Australia Stakes and QTC Sires' Produce Stakes victor engaged, the race could easily go to a mare again.
The five males in contention are Any Suggestion (gate nine), track specialist California Dane (four), Rubiton Stakes winner Dance The Waves (seven), The Age Classic winner Magnus (eight) and Carrington Stakes winner Strada (three).
- AAP