Lightning to strike twice for Edwards

By Glenn Davis

It’s often said lightning never strikes twice.

But, Deagon trainer Jason Edwards hopes to disprove the old adage when he heads to Gatton on Tuesday with a team of three including Lightning Strikes in the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1400 metres.

The four-year-old gave Edwards his first winner of the year when the gelding won in his stable debut in a 1200 metre Class 1 Handicap at Kilcoy on January 2.

In his only subsequent appearance, Lightning Strikes finished eighth to the Desleigh Forster-trained Bold Bidder in a 1200 metre Class 2 Handicap at Ipswich on January 21.

The son of Rothesay started his career by winning once in his first three starts for Toowoomba trainer Jenna Amory.

He had one unplaced start for trainer Nick Keal before being moved on to the Edwards barn.

“He won well at his first start for me and it’s always good to win for a new owner,” Edwards said.

“He got too far back at his second run and it was one of those races when nothing made up ground.

“I think he’s got a great chance at Gatton and should go close to winning.”

Edwards has ridden the highs and lows of training in recent times after losing the highly rated Alpha Sofie last year.

Alpha Sofie, who is part-owned by Tosh Murphy, was transferred to Victoria where he’s under the care of the training partnership of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

Losing Alpha Sofie came as no surprise to Edwards who has five horses in work for Murphy.

“Tosh was up front from the start with her and said if she was good enough, she might end up going south,” Edwards said.

Alpha Sofie won two of her three starts for Edwards before she went south and blitzed her rivals in the Listed Atlantic Jewel at Moonee Valley last September.

Despite losing Alpha Sofie, Edwards is excited about the prospects of his highly promising Margot’s Deel.

Margot’s Deel looks to have a bright future after winning three of her five starts since Edwards took over training the four-year-old daughter of Dundeel.

“She’s been in work about six weeks and will have her first barrier trial in the next few weeks,” Edwards said.

“I think she’s the best horse I’ve trained and what she did last campaign was very exciting.

“I’m planning to target some stakes races during the winter carnival and I wouldn’t mind having a go at the (Group 1) Tatt’s Tiara if she shows she’s up to it.”