While Chris Waller has two of the favourites in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington in Nature Strip and Home Affairs, fellow trainers Leon and Troy Corstens also have dual representation.
Unfortunately, their pair of The Astrologist and Swats That are at the other end of the market as the two longest-priced runners in Saturday’s Group 1 1000m dash.
Troy Corstens says Swats That, currently at $41 with TAB and the longest priced of the nine runners, has been overlooked in discussions in her return run.
Swats That finished third behind Nature Strip and September Run first-up in last year’s Lightning and Corstens said the mare was more mature and stronger this time around.
“She’s three times Group 1 placed, twice against Nature Strip so she definitely deserves her place there and I’m looking forward to what she can do,” Corstens said.
“She’s a little bit different to this time last year and a better guide was going into spring last year.
“She had a really long spell (before the spring) because she had a hoof injury and it took us ages to get her fit, whereas coming into the autumn we haven’t had that issue.
“She didn’t have that long off and she’s much fitter and is ready to go.”
Corstens said Swats That had received her first inoculation for a potential trip to Royal Ascot in the middle of the year.
“Ultimately that will be up to the owner if we go, but we’ve got to get over Saturday first and then the Newmarket Handicap,” Corstens said.
Stablemate The Astrologist is a $34 chance with TAB and loves racing down the straight.
But Corstens said The Astrologist was not as well suited under the weight-for-age conditions after finishing a last start third to Halvorsen in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 15.
“It’s a weight-for-age and it’s always going to be hard for him, but if there’s one thing about The Astrologist, he tries hard every time he goes around,” Corstens said.