Sweet Lightning's victory in the Lincoln has once again shown the benefits of horses being in warmer climates during the harsher UK winter. The Michael Dods trained horse has been participating in the Dubai Inrternational Racing Carnival and despite finishing second in one race has arrived home in tip top condition.
It is not surprising the horse is racing fit as it was participating in a full race programme of high quality racing. Michael Dods reported the horse was going to go on a break and the owner Andrew Tinkler persuaded him not too. He was also at pains to say how well the horse travelled back and his wellbeing was confirmed in his performance.
It is interesting though that he was ahead of the tradtional handicappers who had run on the all weather or had been trained to perform first time out in this ultra competitive handicap. Sweet Lightning is a good horse and it is no surprise he won looking at his form. Did he benefit from the comparatively favourable weather in Dubai or was it the high level of racing he participated in that gave him the edge? It will be interesting to see how other Dubai campaigned horses run first time out in the early season. The Dandy Nicholls sprinters who have performed admirably without rewarding the trainer should in theory start with a similar edge.
Life for a horse in Dubai is certainly that of a VIP. The whole operation is set up for their wellbeing and their lives are made like eden for a horse. Over the years the merits of a warm summer have been debated and this victory certainly reopens the debate. Certainly the Godolphin horses of the past seemed to have been no harm and they look to have a promising team this time wild with Rewilding and Khawlah two who have excelled in Dubai. Sky Surfers is another to look forward to.
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