Peter Moody has indicated Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) may be ready for a step up in trip this campaign.
Desert Lightning is set to kick off his latest campaign that could lead the gelding to a start in the Caulfield Cup.
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained six-year-old is down to run first-up in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Desert Lightning is one of ten runners in Saturday’s race following the scratching of the Chris Waller-trained Full Count Felicia.
Saturday’s outing will be Desert Lightning’s first since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June, finishing just behind Private Eye who is favourite for the P B Lawrence Stakes.
Moody said Desert Lightning enjoyed some extra time in the Queensland warmth before returning to the Pakenham stables of his trainers last month.
Desert Lightning started his career in New Zealand with Peter Williams and was transferred into the care of Moody and Coleman after contesting the 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
In his time with his Pakenham trainers, Desert Lightning has not been beyond 1600m, but Moody indicated that may change this campaign.
Desert Lightning holds a nomination for both the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18 and the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a week later.
“We may give him his chance to stretch out in trip this time around,” Moody said.
“The Caulfield Cup, that’s all pie in the sky stuff at the moment, but we may give him his chance.
“He has won out to 2100 metres as a younger horse and I don’t think we’ve had him out past a mile since he’s been with us and that was in the Toorak last year.”
Desert Lightning will jump from gate one and will be ridden by Ben Melham.
“Barrier one, it’s the shortest way home,” Moody said.
“He had a few weeks out after his last run, did a few weeks trot and canter, had a couple of little gallops, and then we got back home.
“He enjoyed the benefit of a bit of Queensland weather on his back and he had a jump-out at Caulfield the other day and he seems in good order.
“It’s a very competitive race, as you would expect, but he goes into it in good order.”
