Lightinthenite books ticket for next Spring with David Jones Cup win

The John O’Shea trained Lightinthenite has booked a ticket for next year’s Spring Carnival after scoring a narrow win in the Group 3 $150,000 David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield today.

O’Shea will now take Lightinthenite to Flemington on Melbourne Cup day for an 1800m Handicap and hopes to be there next year for the main event.

“It’s a nice start for him at his first go at a bit of a trip, he’s met the challenge, he’s got a lot of ones next to his name and we would love to be back here this time next year hopefully running in the major events,” O’Shea said.

Lightinthenite was having his first run at 2000m coming off a fourth to Fat Al in the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 6 and O’Shea was confident the five year old would be strong at the distance.

If Lightinthenite continued his good form at Flemington in Melbourne Cup day, O’Shea will push on to the Group 3 $250,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on November 10.

Craig Williams put Lightinthenite into the perfect spot down the side but had to work overtime in finding a run in the straight but when daylight appeared he drove the gelding through to grab a narrow win over Bagman and Extra Zero.

“I love the way he had to toughen out today. He come off the bridle and I got a little bit worried, just had to wait for a run and it actually worked out pretty good. He’s a lovely horse,” Williams said.

“I really had a nice horse going into it. Even the strapper and the owners call him Tuesday, they are very confident that he will be here next year, the first Tuesday in November.”

“The horse had got really good ability, still a little bit raw and a little bit soft.”

Lightinthenite kept the punters happy and the $2.60 favourite was able to hold off the strong finish of Bagman ($7) with $14 chance Extra Zero running on for third.

French galloper Prairie Star was having his first Australia start for OTI Racing and put in a solid effort to finish fourth coming down the middle of the track.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.