Narrandera Race Club hosts the first meeting of their 2025 winter racing carnival on Saturday, and an extended seven-race LW Peacock Memorial program has attracted strong fields.
The well-named Lightning Lizard from the Ben Brisbourne yard takes on the 1000m Class One Handicap, and will no doubt be the omen bet for many local rugby league players and supporters.
Narrandera is the home of the Lizards, who compete in the Proten Cup competition. While the Lizards play the Goolgowi Rabbitohs in Hillston on Saturday, there will be plenty of support for the 4YO Wangaratta galloper.
A maiden winner at Albury earlier this year over the 1000m trip, the 4YO is never too far away.
Since a short freshen-up, Lightning Lizard hasn’t finished further than five lengths from the winner in four stronger events.
Three starts back in a 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Albury on April 24, the Redente gelding hit the line strongly to finish second to the Andrew Dale-trained Rockbarton Shout, which was a subsequent winner in a 1000m Benchmark 66 Handicap at Corowa earlier this month.
Last start, Lighting Lizard ran into another strong Benchmark 58 (1175m) at Albury, finishing fifth to the Craig Weeding-trained Yam, which went on to win a 1300m Benchmark 64 Handicap at Swan Hill last week.
Back to five furlongs will suit the Victorian galloper, which also draws well with gate one and is benefited by Alice Kennedy’s four-kilogram claim, meaning Lighting Lizard will only carry 54kg at Narrandera.
Brisbourne will be hoping for a red-letter day at Narrandera, with his stable starting up to four chances on the day.
Kennedy rides another well-named omen bet in Riverina Lightning (57kg) in the 1400m Benchmark 50 Handicap while Rebecca Bronett Prag is aboard Azeola (55.5kg) in the 1600m Class 1/Maiden Plate and Debout Belle (54.5kg) in the 1400m Benchmark 50 Handicap.
The Narrandera meeting commences at 12.21pm, with gates open at 11am.
Narrandera tips – June 14
Race 1: #2 Justbetryin’
Race 2: #4 Lightning Lizard
Race 3: #12 The Maestro
Race 4: #2 Triumphant Tonic
Race 5: #2 The Cuban
Race 6: #5 Bobby’s Secret
Race 7: #8 Soo Kiss Me
Track conditions
Rail Position: True
Dual Track Meeting: N
Track Type: Turf
Track Condition: Soft 6
Weather: Overcast
Track Information: 109 acceptances
