Scenic beats all the fancies in Aus.

Scenic blasts superstar duo to bag Group 1 dash


Report: Australia, Saturday

Flemington: Coolmore Lightning Stakes (Group 1) 5f

SCENIC BLAST spoilt the much-anticipated return of superstars Weekend Hussler and Apache Cat with a barnstorming win in the Lightning Stakes.

The West Australian raider, trained by Daniel Morton and ridden by Steven Arnold, enjoyed an economical run on the inner for much of the race and had room to manoeuvre in the closing stages, which Australian horse of the year Weekend Hussler did not.



The favourite's rider Brad Rawiller was unable to stoke up hismount when hampered by Seventh Rock, so much so that it was only in the final 50 yards that Weekend Hussler found daylight. When a gap was found he flew, but he could only manage a share of fourth and posted a length and a half behind the winner.



However, such was the dominance of Scenic Blast, who beat Typhoon Zed and Grand Duels into second and third, it is doubtful whether Weekend Hussler would have won the $A500,000 (£223,000) sprint even with a clear passage.

A delighted Morton said: "It was a super effort. Going into the race, I thought he might be a run short, so when he loomed up to the leaders late in the race, I was just hoping he'd hang on.

Arnold, described by the trainer as having ridden "a perfect race", said: "We got a fair way back but he relaxed nicely, which is why he could finish off the race so strongly. We got out when we wanted to and he was simply cantering at the furlong pole."

Apache Cat, who had been earmarked for a trip to Royal Ascot, was a major disappointment. The baldy-faced sprinter never travelled smoothly and eventually beat only two home, finishing ninth.

Managed to watch the replays and saw Seventh Rock out of it,and yet was a star in S A.Hope horse trains on.