Avoid Lightning probably suffered from following Black Caviar into action at Caulfield on Saturday.
But her win in the Listed W J Adams Stakes (1000m) made up somewhat for her comparatively plain looks and lack of stature.
“She’s certainly not a pretty horse,” said trainer David Jolly.
“She’s got a bit of a sway back and she’s not big.”
Avoid Lightning, however, has one attribute that is essential in good racehorses – she wants to win.
“She loves winning, she knows when she’s won.”
Avoid Lightning ($3.50) benefited from a perfect Craig Williams ride to score by a neck from Canali ($7) with a long head to First Command ($2.70 fav) in third.
Jolly said Avoid Lightning might now target the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in three weeks.
“She’ll get in with a light weight and she obviously goes well here,” he said.
“If she pulls up alright we’ll give it a lot of thought.”
Avoid Lightning got her name from a mishap caused when her mother took fright during a thunderstorm and suffered an injury that ended her racing career.
“She tried to jump a couple of fences and banged her leg up,” Jolly said.
“It ended any hope of her racing, but she’s produced a good one so it might have been a blessing.”
Trainer Anthony Freedman, meanwhile, will review Oakleigh Plate plans for First Command.
The winner of his previous two runs this campaign, First Command was under pressure most of the way and although only beaten a half length, he found the task of carrying 60.5kg under high pressure beyond him.