Top end sprinter Lucid Reflection will be chasing back to back wins in Darwin’s biggest sprint race when he lines up in the $175,000 Palmerston Sprint at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

The rising seven year old is in career best form after winning his previous two starts, both at the Darwin track.

Earlier in the month the defending Palmerston Sprint champ won an 1100m welter race with ease, despite having to carry 62.0kg. Then at his most recent start he ran away with the Darwin City Council Plate, which is run under weight for age conditions.

Lucid Reflection has been hit with 59.5kg for his Palmerston Sprint defence, however trainer Dick Leech said it was only a slight concern.

“He’s a big horse and he won first up with 62kg,” Leech said.

“He can carry weight because he is a big, 560-570 kilogram horse. The weight this weekend is a slight concern. He won’t want to be bludging at the end.”

Lucid Reflection thrived under the weight for age conditions in the Darwin City Council Plate, however under the handicap conditions of the Palmerston, he is meeting some of his rivals up to 6.5kg worse at the weights, but Leech believes the reigning Top End Horse of the Year will still have too much class.

“It was a pretty good win last time…  I couldn’t be happier with him,” he said.

“Touch wood everything is going alright. He is feeling alright and did a bit of work this morning which was good. He is there with a big chance and I just hope he can win it.”

Following last year’s Palmerston Sprint, Leech made the decision to send Lucid Reflection to Kalgoorlie for the Hannan’s Handicap, however he said that was not on the cards for this year, however he did say that Victoria was an option, especially if the horse won.

“I wouldn’t go back to Perth this year, it is four or five days travel. I’ve always wanted to go to Kalgoorlie and I did it last year and we were stiffed as he ran second,” Leech said.

“If he does win the sprint he is going to be a 106 rater which would have him carrying the grandstand every start up here.

“I will likely put him on the truck and he can go to Victoria, have two or three weeks in the paddock down there and then we might look to something down the straight at Flemington.”

Lucid Reflection is currently a $2.80 favourite for the Palmerston Sprint, ahead of Canali and Hidden Surprise.