Volks Lightning strikes at last
Adesperate finish to the group three Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua was decided by the photofinish camera in favour of underrated mare Volks Lightning.
The Team Rogerson trained sixyear-old claimed her fifth career win when she led all the way to defeat Indecision by the barest of margins in the group three feature.
It was her first victory in stakes company although she does boast four black-type placings including a third in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie last season.
Rider Jake Bayliss, who had guided the mare to a comfortable trial win at Taupo earlier in the month, was full of smiles when asked to comment on the performance.
“She was really in a happy zone,” he said.
“The plan wasn’t to lead but she jumped away quick and put herself there.
“She gave a good kick on the corner and gave them something to chase but got a little bit tired in the last 50m.
“She was going in to this fresh so it was a gutsy win.”
Volks Lightning took her career record to five wins from 27 starts with just over $185,000 in stakes earnings.
Meanwhile a rails-hugging ride paved the way for Hastings visitor Peso to land his biggest career win when he took out the Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m) earlier in the day.
The Paul Nelson trained gelding brought good form into the race having been narrowly beaten on his home track in the Hawkes Bay spring carnival at his last start.
Rider Rosie Myers took full advantage of an inside barrier draw as she positioned Peso nicely in the trail after disputing the early lead. Switched off the heels of the tiring pacemaker Peacock approaching the home corner, Peso dashed through on the inner again to grab control in the final 150m as he held out Woodsman and Highlad in a desperate finish.
Imported mare Igraine, who started favourite in the race, flashed home for an eye-catching fourth after finding traffic problems back in the field.