Saturday’s Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) is going to be one of the most intriguing races on Australian soil in quite some time.The only Group 1 at 1000m, it has been run since 1955.
Past winners include the likes of Todman, Sky High, Wenona Girl, Maybe Mahal, Placid Ark, Zeditave, Schillaci, Mahogany, Choisir, Takeover Target and Miss Andretti.
Last year, Nicconi came with a late burst to defeat Shellscrape and Wanted.
So why is it that this year’s running will be so intriguing?
For a start, it is the battle of the titans, round two.
Sprinting queen Black Caviar, named the world’s champion sprinter in 2010, will take on arch nemesis Hay List to determine who is Australia’s best sprinter.
Most punters are in the unbeaten Black Caviar’s corner, but Hay List’s trainer John McNair is yet to be convinced.
“They can all be beaten, including Black Caviar, so we’re leaving no stone unturned,” McNair told the Herald Sun.
Blinkers are to be applied to Hay List in the hope they give him a little edge.
Round one of the battle saw Black Caviar destroy Hay List and her other rivals when she won the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic by four lengths.
Hay List was sixth.
However, the stories don’t end with the virtual match race between the two great sprinters.
The Lightning Stakes sees the return of one of Australia’s most promising sprinters.
The Michael Moroney-trained King Pulse was labelled a sensation after his unlucky second in the 2009 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at his third start and his brilliant fourth in last year’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
However, a freak storm which hit Flemington following last year’s Newmarket saw him end up with life threatening injuries.
It has taken a lot of patience from Moroney to bring King Pulse back from such debilitating injuries and the trainer doesn’t know what to expect this Saturday.
“It’s been a long haul to get him back to this stage but the signs are good,” Moroney told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Also likely to be engaged are Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily, Black Caviar’s stablemates Hinchinbrook and Set For Fame and Adelaide speedster Stirling Grove.
Nominations are out at midday today.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
