Racing: Lightning aim for Carnival

Carnival (right) will run at Trentham next month. Photo / Race Images

Smart sprinting mare Carnival is on a return path to Wellington.

The Riccarton-trained four-year-old has the Te Akau Lightning Handicap (1200m) on her programme to open a possible two-start North Island campaign.

"She'll go up for the Lightning [March 17] and then maybe a Listed 1200m sprint at Hawke's Bay," said Kevin Hughes, who trains the daughter of Showcasing with his wife Pam.

"We're running out of options for her really. We were toying with the idea of going to the Sydney carnival ... but we're in no rush."

Carnival has won four of her 11 starts, including the Gr.3 Stewards' Stakes at Riccarton in the spring.

Meanwhile, the stable fancy their chances of getting some of their own money back with Bonaparte in the Hughes Racing Stables (1400m) at Riccarton today.

"He can take a sit and if he leads he does relax so we're quite confident of a good run," Hughes said.

Bonaparte has won two of his last three starts and with Tanya Jonker's claim he will drop five kilos on a last-start fifth on the course.

- NZ Racing Desk