Lightning Goal for Flying Lad

Rockhampton flyer Aspen Lad will again head down a path aimed at this year’s Townsville Lightning when he returns from injury at Cluden Park tomorrow.

Aspen Lad hasn’t raced since finishing second to talented galloper Family Star at Cluden last April, and is a hot fancy to redeem that defeat in a return clash in the Cluden Park Open Hcp (1000m).

The five-year-old’s trainer Darryl Johnston claimed the 2017 Townsville and Cairns Lightnings with his former good mare Isa Tala, and is convinced Aspen Lad is her equal.

“He’s been in work probably 11 weeks, he’s had a good, long build up and trialled really well,” Johnston said.

“I’d say he’s probably 90 per cent but it still might be good enough. He’s a good horse and loves the track, and he meets Family Star 9.5kg better at the weights – that’s huge.

“I think he’s as good as Isa Tala and he can win a Lightning. It’s hard to compare them because she got back and rattled home where he gets up front and does all the work.”

Aspen Lad has established a strong record at Cluden, winning twice and placing three times from five starts, including a narrow third to Temple Run in the 2021 Lightning.

But plans to tackle last year’s Lightning were scrapped when the flighty Aspen Lad injured himself in a saddling enclose incident in Mackay in July.

Aspen Lad tossed his jockey and became trapped under a rail before breaking loose and flipping over when he was freed.

The speedster suffered superficial injuries to his legs but needed rest and time to recover.

Johnston said the Bagger Vance gelding had come back in top order.

“He stripped the skin on his legs and he just took a bit of time to get right, have a spell and come back and have another go,” Johnston said.

“The horse has had a good lead-up into this and a nice trial. He ran a second quicker than the other trials on the day and I’m very happy with him.”

Johnston’s partner Natalea Summers will take over the reins tomorrow, reuniting with Aspen Lad for the first time in almost two years.

As well as Family Star, who is also resuming, Aspen Lad will be up against accomplished sprinters Lily Of The Glen and first-up winner Higher Realm.

Summers will also ride the stable’s three other runners on the day – Mr Tangles in the C.U.B. Mdn Plate (1000m), Vitae in the BM 70 Hcp (1400m) and Fav’s Flyer in the Mitavite Cl1 Hcp (1000m).

The six-event card gets underway at 1.42pm.

Pictured: Aspen Lad flies to an easy win at Cluden. He's back from injury and ready to roll at Cluden tomorrow.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.