Promising sprinter Sunburnt Land struck down by lightning
November 14, 2008 12:37pm

THE owners of a highly-promising racehorse are distraught after the sprinter was killed during wild storms this morning.

Sunburnt Land - which had won eight races and earned close to $380,000 in prizemoney - was killed by a bolt of lightning on property at Romsey.

The tragic loss resulted from an intense thunderstorm which swept across the state this morning, causing transport disruption and damage to homes.

Distraught owner David Moodie and trainer Mathew Ellerton could scarcely believe their misfortune.

"It's cruel. I'm not looking for sympathy but it goes to show how hard this game is for everyone,'' Moodie said.

Ellerton said Sunburnt Land had untapped potential.

"I'd like to think he had his best days in front of him,'' he said.

A Group 2 Schillaci Stakes winner, Sunburnt Land finished third to Swick in last Saturday's Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m).

Sunburnt Land is at his best when closing late but was left in front too soon when Apache Cat folded 400m out.

At his previous starts he stormed home for an unlucky third to Hot Danish in the Salinger Stakes.

Connections had aimed him for the autumn Group 1 sprint treble of the Lightning Stakes, Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap.

From 18 starts the Scenic gelding won six races for $379,000 in stakes.

Just another example of how it can all go wrong. Those of us who have been involved in the dog game for a long time, know only too well that you have to be prepared to accept the worst when it does happen but of course, not at the expense of enjoying the good times. It probably brings back memories (not good ones) for many of us. We can all feel for the connections, not to mention the horse, a very good galloper in deed. It is likely that he would have been a real force in the autumn sprints.

This is a very sad moment for the connections of Sunburnt Land it is a real tragedy what has happened, he was a very promising sprinter and i agree his best days where ahead of him i feel he was just starting to hit his straps after a few unlucky runs of late.

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Absolutely. He was really coming on this horse and I was a big fan of his. Geez this is such a tough and unforgiving game. The highs are undescribable, but the lows, well they are truly something else.

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