Jockey Tim Clark believes there are plenty of similarities between Les Bridge's champion mare Hot Danish and Avoid Lightning, and hopes it will extend to being a group 1 winner at Morphettville on Saturday.
Hot Danish became the darling of the Sydney turf for her consistency and fight before finally breaking through for a group 1 win in the All Aged Stakes five years ago.
She was a five-year-old at the time. Avoid Lightning is a six-year-old as she returns to Adelaide to run in Saturday's Robert Sangster Stakes, in which she ran sixth two years ago when trained by David Jolly.
"She's got that sway back and she is nothing to look at but she has a big heart and it carries her a long way. People like that," Clark said. "She obviously started her career over there and it would be great to get her first group 1 over there.
"Les and I had success together in big races before with Hot Danish and this mare has somewhat taken over the mantle since joining the stable.
"She's getting a similar sort of following to Hot Danish, people just seem to like her because she never lets you down.
"The other day when she won she got a big reception like Hot Danish used to get. I know she was heavily backed and got a few people out of trouble, but the crowd get behind and cheer for her because she is so honest."
Avoid Lightning has won six of her 10 starts since joining the Bridge stable and has stamped herself as a group 1 winner in waiting. She was too strong at the end of the Sapphire Stakes at Randwick last start, setting herself up for another shot at the Sangster.
"I was really proud of her win the other day because I thought she toughed it out really well. It is funny with mares like her, that when they have a win, what confidence it gives them," Clark said.
"It is quite amazing the way she has bounced off that win. I feel she has gone ahead and improved off that run on the track.
"I think against fillies and mares over six furlongs she is going to be competitive no matter what ground she gets."
Avoid Lightning is on the third line of betting for the Sangster despite drawing barrier 16. Another returning South Australian, Miracles Of Life, is the $5 favourite at Tab.com.au with William Reid Stakes runner-up Vain Queen at $5.50.
Fontein Ruby has been made the $3.60 favourite for the Australasian Oaks, which is the other group 1 on the program, in front of Vinery Stud Stakes winner Fenway at $4.60 and Delicacy, the WA Oaks and Derby winner, at $8.
Meanwhile, Gypsy Diamond is $3.80 favourite for Friday's Wagga Cup after drawing ideally in the centre of the field in gate nine. Last start winner Kourkam is a $4.60 second pick, while Chris Waller-trained duo Our Voodoo Prince and Trade Commissioner, which won the cup last year, are $7 and $8.50 respectively.
