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De Lightning Ridge in lightning dash
Saturday 13 March 2010
By Caryl Williamson
De Lightning Ridge has smashed the long-standing Randwick 1000-metre record in the Group Two Challenge Stakes in a blistering display of speed reminiscent of her two-year-old days.
The now four-year-old was the one time Golden Slipper favourite but did not make it to the race two years ago after running third in the Black Opal.
Formerly trained by Keith Dryden in Canberra, De Lightning Ridge was sent to Joe Pride at Warwick Farm for a change of scene.
She won her first start for Pride then put in a shocker over 1200 metres last start before her record-breaking feat on Saturday.
De Lightning Ridge ran the trip in 55.92s to eclipse Zephyr Bay's mark of 56.2s established in 1975.
"I love this mare," Pride said.
"She's unbelievable. She works like the best horse in the stable and she looks like the best horse in the stable.
"She looked like that when she came to me, she came to the stable in great order.
"I made a mistake last time, I should never have run her in that race the other day.
"The key is to keep her fresh and to keep her to 1100 metres.
"It's amazing, I was three years old when Zephyr Bay set that record."
Her poor performance at her previous start put punters off and they sent her out at $10 with Swift Alliance and Typhoon Zed the $4 equal favourites.
Glyn Schofield settled De Lightning Ridge midfield but could not hold her there in the run home and he let her loose.
Dorf Command ($5.50) gave chase but was safely held to a half-neck second with 1-3/4 lengths to Stryker ($4.80) third.
"I thought I had gone too soon but I had to come out when I did," Schofield said.
"She was just much too good."
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