Staines' Vision Of Megastar Glory

NEIL Staines is chasing an overdue Group 1 victory in Thursday night’s Beteasy Dapto Megastar (520m) with fastest qualifier Lightning Vision.

Respected bush trainer Neil Staines is chasing an overdue Group 1 victory in Thursday night's Beteasy Dapto Megastar (520m) with fastest qualifier Lightning Vision.

Staines has clocked up countless kilometres in pursuit of an elusive success at racing's ultimate level from his Yass base but will travel to Dapto on Thursday night with a live chance in the $75,000 to-the-winner Megastar.

"They can't say I've jumped the line!" quipped Staines.

"I've had dogs in Group 1s and Group 2s before – Slamming Thunder made the Golden Easter Egg Final in 2017 – but this would be the biggest win I've had, by a long way."

After cutting his teeth at his home track of Goulburn, winning six of eight starts over 440m, highlighted by the rich Zoom Top Maiden series, Lightning Vision was ultra-impressive in back-to-back 29.53s and 29.72s Wentworth Park victories in November.

Heading into last Thursday's Megastar heats, Lightning Vision had been beaten at his two previous appearances at Dapto, including a tilt at the Million Dollar Chase heats at just his sixth start back in September.

A superbly-bred son of Kinloch Brae and Seeya Sticka, a litter sister to Group 1 winner and former Sandown Park record-holder Unlawful Entry, Lightning Vision started at $5 from box six in the second of four Megastar qualifiers.

Lightning Vision began well from his awkward alley but Staines admitted he closed his eyes rounding the first bend, before breathing a huge sigh of relief as his charge emerged in second place behind Federal Lilly ($4.60).

Lightning Vision railed to the front approaching the home turn and exploded clear, defeating favourite Jamella Jet ($1.90) by 5.25 lengths in 29.63s, his ninth win from 17 starts.

"He got out alright but I lost him going through the corner and I held my breath – I tell you," Staines said.

"When he came out in second spot I was fairly confident.

"I took him to Dapto to try to qualify for the Million Dollar Chase early and he trialled well and handled the track beautifully but he had no luck in running in his heat.

"I've had a bit of trouble with his metacarpals – I've had to manage it – and because of that he's a dog that I haven't been able to put the work into. So he's really ahead of where he should be, especially with his run-home times.

"I don't plan too far ahead but the Megastar came up and I spoke to Jack (Savaglia), his owner, and we decided to throw our hat in the ring. They can't win sitting at home in their kennel."

Lightning Vision shaded Million Dollar Chase victor Good Odds Harada, back in NSW after a Topgun and Melbourne Cup campaign, for qualifying honours, with Frank Hurst's star a dominant 29.64s winner of the final heat.

Goods Odds Harada is TAB's $2.30 favourite after drawing box four, while Lightning Vision is a $5.50 chance from box seven.
"We're going to need luck," Staines said.

"Hopefully they leave him alone. I've been watching replays and I think the eight dog (Double Back) will stay out and the six (Start A Riot), if anything, will come down.

"My dog will just need a little bit of luck in the first couple of yards.

"Good Odds Harada would have to be the hardest to beat. He's got the form on the board to say he is, but in saying that it's a pretty
hot field and anything is capable of winning it with a bit of luck.

"We'll see what happens on Thursday but all things being equal he's going to be competitive in any big races coming up like the Gosford Cup and Paws Of Thunder."

PIC: Courtesy REDDEN VIDEO

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