One of the most exciting editions of the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes will be run and won at Flemington on Saturday as a small field of eight battles for a share in the $750,000 prize-money.
Impressive Godolphin entire Bivouac returns to the site of his VRC Sprint Classic triumph last year, and it is no shock to find him well-backed ahead of another tilt against four-time Group 1 winner Nature Strip.
Down further, two three-year-olds, September Run and Swats That, will meet again after running first and second respectively in last years Coolmore Stud Stakes, while there’s also plenty of value on dual Group 1 winner Pippie as well as talented first-up specialist Fabergino.
Nothing tops a dash down the Flemington straight, so be sure to read our runner by runner guide ahead of this year’s Black Caviar Lightning Stakes below!
Nature Strip
Nature Strip will be looking to atone for a majorly disappointing Spring when he steps out in the Lightning for the second year in a row.
After winning the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes at Randwick in April, Chris Waller’s speedster returned a plain effort for seventh in the Everest before finishing three lengths second to Bivouac in the VRC Sprint Classic.
Despite the disappointment, the four-time Group 1 winner tends to do his best racing fresh and will likely appreciate getting back to his home track where he’s won four times previously.
It’s hard to ignore the fact he was the beaten $1.45 favourite in this race last year when fourth to Gytrash, but the booking of Jamie Kah, Victoria’s leading rider, should give him every chance to bounce back.
Bivouac
Bivouac capped off his Spring with a dominant three-length win in the Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington last year, a performance that has left him at short odds with punters eagerly awaiting his return to the races.
The Godolphin four-year-old was simply sensational last time in work finishing second to Classique Legend in the Everest prior to his barnstorming win at Flemington in the Classic.
Not surprisingly, he looked in exceptional order during a recent Rosehill trial when second to Nature Strip, while his chances of adding another Group 1 are only strengthened with Glen Boss back in the saddle.
Plenty is expected from this talented sprinter and he is no doubt the horse to beat.
Elite Street
Elite Street will make his Flemington debut on Saturday after capping off the Spring with a surprising victory in the Winterbottom Stakes on his home track at Ascot.
The son of Street Boss rose through the grades impressively on the way to an elusive Group 1 win, but there’s no question this is his toughest assignment to date against some of the country’s top sprinters.
His record of five wins from eight starts warrants plenty of respect, but he’d likely need to produce something very special after making the trip over from Western Australia for the first time.
Halvorsen
Halvorsen returned to the races to run fifth in the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington last month – his first race start in close to a year.
The five-year-old son of Magnus put in a competitive effort during last year’s Oakleigh Plate finishing three lengths seventh to Pippie before spending a stint on the sidelines due to injury.
A win seems well out of the question, but his strong second-up record suggests he could be worth a look in exotics providing the track stays dry enough.
Pippie
Don’t be fooled by the price, Pippie is a major player in this year’s Lightning Stakes as she likely fights for a place up on the speed alongside Nature Strip and Fabergino.
The Written Tycoon mare was far and away one of the most exciting horses last year winning the Oakleigh Plate in a thriller at Caulfield before a memorable first-up performance at Moonee Valley to take out the Moir Stakes in September.
The dual Group 1 winner is a perfect four-from-four when racing fresh and she is definitely up to winning a race of this quality in what is likely her Melbourne grand final.
Fabergino
Fabergino is shooting for her hat-trick after winning the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington last month by more than a length.
The daughter of Maschino has failed to fire in two Group 1 starts finishing second-last in the Moir Stakes last year prior to an equally disappointing performance in the VRC Sprint Classic.
Having said that, she’s a perfect three-from-three down the Flemington straight and there’s plenty to suggest she can run a race at odds if Jordan Childs can establish a forward position nice and early.
Based on recent form, she’s one of the better each-way plays.
September Run
September Run was an easy watch in the Coolmore last year as Nature Strip’s stablemate looks to add a second Group 1 to her resume on Saturday.
Now considered one of the top three-year-olds in the country, the daughter of Exceed and Excel has risen through the grades in style since this time last year when she returned to win back-to-back starts at Canterbury and Doomben by narrow margins.
Craig Williams proved to be the difference on her during the Spring, steering her to a pair of Listed wins at Flemington prior to her comfortable Coolmore performance ahead of Swats That from the awkward draw.
Like many others, the Chris Waller filly has won previously fresh and is undefeated in three runs down the Flemington straight.
Barrier three leaves Williams with plenty of options and the current $6.00 quote might just be a touch over the odds.
Swats That
Lightly raced filly Swats That is one of the most consistent three-year-olds around as she looks to pick up where she left off in last year’s Coolmore when second to Saturday’s rival September Run.
The daughter of Shamus Award has won three of her six starts to date including a pair of Group 3 wins at Moonee Valley and Caulfield during the Spring.
Although this is just her second Group 1 start, there’s no question she’s up to racing at this level, especially with Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil booked to ride for the first time.
Her recent jump out at Flemington behind Nature Strip was full of merit and she is more than capable of finishing in the money with just 53.5kg on her back.
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Tip
Bivouac at $2.70