Osborne Bulls set for Lightning first-up

Osborne Bulls (blue) will have his first start over 1000m when he runs in the Lightning Stakes.

Osborne Bulls is set to contest a race over 1000 metres for the first time when he runs in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

The Godolphin-owned Osborne Bulls will be making his first appearance of the autumn carnival when he runs in the Group One straight sprint on Saturday.

The gelding was last seen winning the Group Two The TAB Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in November after running third in The Everest at Randwick.

The James Cummings-trained sprinter has done all his preparatory work at Osborne Park in Sydney and will be transported to Melbourne during the week.

“I’m very happy with his preparation,” Cummings said.

“He’s trialled up in Sydney at Randwick and should be ready to run over five furlongs for the first time in his life.

“He’s pretty fresh and well and it will be an interesting test for the horse.”

Cummings said Saturday’s race would have added intrigue with two-year-old filly Jedastar in the entries.

Under the weight-for-age conditions, Jedastar will carry 44kg with Osborne Bulls on 58.5kg.

“That will be fascinating and I applaud them for trying something different,” Cummings said.

“I can see our horse building into his work. He’ll probably be beaten for speed for much of the race but he’s a very good finisher.”

Osborne Bulls is entered for the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 9 and Dubai’s Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on World Cup night three weeks later.

Both races are run on a straight track over 1200m.

Osborne Bulls could potentially run in both races, although Cummings says the timing is tight.

“He’s nominated for Dubai and is a chance of going,” Cummings said.

“It would be a great meeting for us to be a part of and it would be pretty exciting for the Australians to cheer on a Godolphin horse in Dubai.

“It would be a wonderful story for Osborne Bulls’ career to perform in front of His Royal Highness Skeikh Mohammed.”

Osborne Bulls has raced 14 times, winning nine races and running four minor placings.

The only time he has finished out of the top three was when fifth in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last September.