Linda Meech’s Lightning Stradbroke trip

Linda Meech will be aboard Chain Of Lightning in this Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap.

Jockey: Linda Meech
Jockey: Linda Meech Picture: (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Fresh off a winning double at Flemington on Saturday, Linda Meech will ride at Eagle Farm next weekend the first time in nearly four years when she partners the Peter Moody-trained Chain Of Lightning in the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Her last visit to Brisbane's premier track was to ride Amish Boy for Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace to an unplaced effort in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes in December 2019, but with the light weight of 52-kilos and the Moody polish, she'll be shooting for a third career win at the highest level.

A four-year-old, Chain Of Lightning, will have a final hit-out on Tuesday morning, says current assistant but future Moody training partner Katherine Coleman.

"Her last run was really good," Coleman adds.

"She was wasn't liking the firmer tracks over the summer months so ideally we'd love to see a shower of rain.

"She's at her best when the tracks are soft."

Rated a $26 chance for the highlight of the Queensland Racing Carnival, Chain Of Lightning comes off a fourth placing in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide on May 6, less than a length from the winner Ruthless Dame who is in the Stradbroke market at $11.

Last start Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup winner Think About It heads the betting at $3.

Showers are forecast for Brisbane on Monday with an otherwise dry week expected towards Saturday.


Racing and Sports