City Of Lights Set to Shine in Hawkesbury Crown

City Of Lights, a mare with an impressive pedigree, is ready to make her mark in the Hawkesbury Crown this Saturday. While she has yet to reach the legendary status of her half-sister Winx, her potential is clear, and a maiden win stakes could be an important step in her career.

The mare is by the late Deep Impact, Japan’s renowned stallion, who was a champion sire for a decade. Deep Impact’s influence in breeding is extensive, and City Of Lights carries his impressive genetics. Her dam, Vegas Showgirl, makes her a half-sister to Winx, one of the most successful racehorses in Australian history. With such a pedigree, expectations are high, and connections are eager to see what City Of Lights can achieve.

Trainer Richard Pride, who is well-established among Sydney’s top trainers, is cautious not to overstate his charge’s abilities. However, he acknowledges the exceptional pedigree City Of Lights has inherited. He described her lineage as “almost too good to be true,” noting the rarity of such a bloodline. “By Deep Impact and a half-sister to Winx, it’s incredible. You look at it and go, ‘that horse doesn’t belong in my stable,’” he said.

While she may not yet have the same level of success as Winx, City Of Lights has shown she is more than capable. With four wins from her 12 starts, she has demonstrated significant promise. Pride considers herself still developing and capable of the highest excellence.

Last month, her second in a race at Randwick behind Need Some Luck over 1200m was her most recent run. Pride feels that the 1300m of the Hawkesbury Crown will better suit her. “She’s a horse that is hard to look at and not have in your mind that she is Winx’s sister,” he said. “It’s something special.”

The Hawkesbury Crown is an important race for City Of Lights. A win would not only be a significant achievement for her racing career but would also benefit her future as a broodmare. “If she can get the job done Saturday, it will be a massive step for her stud career as well,” Pride explained. A win stakes would also elevate her standing as a potential broodmare, and with her pedigree, there is great anticipation surrounding her future.

The weather conditions for Saturday’s race are expected to be favorable, with rain predicted to lead to a soft track. Pride believes this will work in City Of Lights’ favor, as she has handled similar conditions well before. “She should get a bit of a soft track which will help her,” Pride said, adding that he is pleased with her progress. “It’s her best chance yet to win stakes or placing, and that’s very important.”

In addition to City Of Lights, Pride will have strong contenders in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), including topweight Dragonstone, the lightly raced In Flight, and the returning Testator Silens.

Dragonstone comes into the race in excellent form after an impressive preparation. He has already proven himself at the win stakes level and will be aiming to continue his strong performances. Meanwhile, In Flight is second-up and will likely appreciate the rain-affected track. “One hundred per cent, that is key for her,” Pride said. “I really like this mare. I think she’s a little ripper.” He expressed confidence that In Flight’s best race is still ahead of her, with the mare likely to perform well on a wet track.

Testator Silens, the oldest of the trio, is returning from a break. He typically needs a run to reach his top form, but Pride is hopeful that he can return to competitive racing and challenge for the Gold Rush.

For Pride, the Hawkesbury races are a key part of his season, and he is optimistic about his horses’ chances. City Of Lights, alongside his other runners in the Gold Rush, makes for an exciting day at the track.

Looking forward, Pride is determined to provide City Of Lights with every opportunity to succeed, whether in win stakes races or later as a broodmare. “She is a good mare in her own right,” he said. And while she will always be compared to Winx, City Of Lights has the pedigree, ability, and potential to carve out her own legacy in the racing world.

Saturday’s race represents a key moment in her career. With her pedigree, talent, and the guidance of Richard Pride, City Of Lights is a mare to watch in the months ahead. Whether or not she wins the Hawkesbury Crown, her future in racing looks promising.