Racing on Saturday heads to Flemington with the running of Black Caviar Lightning Day, which sees the first Group 1 of the new year.
The race is the Horse Racing equivalent of the 100m Sprint in Athletics, reserved for the top line speedsters and this year has attracted a top field.
Also on the day is the C.S Hayes Stakes, Frances Tressady Stakes, Desirable Stakes, Elms Handicap and Talindert Stakes.
We look at the predicted line ups ahead of Saturday’s racing below with the latest information.
The Group 1 Lightning Stakes will see the clash of Group 1 winners Giga Kick, Baraqiel, Benedetta, Beiwacht, Tentyris and Marhoona. Other horses set to be in the contest include the popular My Gladiola and stakes winner Military Tycoon.
Meaning that the field is set to have five three year old’s contest the feature sprint. Rising Fast Stakes winner Caballus may also run here with connections undecided on Sunday night whether he ran in the 1000m contest or the Expressway Stakes in Sydney.
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes – 1000m
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| GIGA KICK | C Douglas | E Brown |
| BARAQIEL | L & T Corstens & W Larkin | B Allen |
| CABALLUS | B Baker | |
| BENEDETTA | C Maher | J Melham |
| BEIWACHT | C Waller | B Melham |
| TENTYRIS | A & S Freedman | D Lane |
| MARHOONA | M Freedman | M Dee |
| MILITARY TYCOON | C Maher | H Coffey |
| MY GLADIOLA | J McArdle | J Mott |
Exciting first up winner Sixties has been taken to Chris Waller’s Flemington stables and is set to make an appearance at Flemington on Saturday in the C.S Hayes Stakes, which will serve as a key lead up to the Australian Guineas.
Manfred winner Space Rider, Stutt Stakes winner West Of Swindon and progressive gallopers Loud Charlie and Officiate will also be in the field.
C.S Hayes Stakes- 1400m
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| WEST OF SWINDON | C Maher | T Stockdale |
| SPACE RIDER | M Price & M Kent Jnr | E Brown |
| LOUD CHARLIE | L Kennewell | J Mott |
| WETUMPKA | P Gelagotis | B Allen |
| SIXTIES | C Waller | D Lane |
| OFFICIATE | C Waller | |
| EXPRESS CLASS | G Moloney | P Moloney |
| ROMANTIC ENCOUNTER | B, W & JD Hayes |
The fillies contest at the same trip at Flemington on Saturday sees the return of rising star Sheza Alibi, as she meets the exciting Sass Appeal. Stakes performed fillies Salty Pearl and Custom are also likely runners for Ciaron Maher.
Desirable Stakes- 1400m
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| SHEZA ALIBI | P Moody & K Coleman | L Nolen |
| SASS APPEAL | D O’Brien | D Lane |
| SALTY PEARL | C Maher | B Allen |
| CUSTOM | C Maher | J Melham |
| CELIBATE | M Williams | D Yendall |
| NEXT JEN | A & R Archibald | J Mott |
| GET HONOR | M Walker |
Older mares Wrote To Aratiki and Sea What I See headline a strong Frances Tressady Stakes that will see the return of another class talent in Ole Dancer, in her first run against the older horses.
Philia is also set to return to the races here afer a long layoff.
Frances Tressady Stakes – 1400m
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| WROTE TO ARATAKI | M Williams | D Yendall |
| PHILIA | D Vandyke | E Brown |
| GRID GIRL | B, W & JD Hayes | |
| SEA WHAT I SEE | D O’Brien | J Melham |
| EXTRATWO | C Maher | |
| OLE DANCER | P Moody & K Coleman | L Nolen |
| SAMANGU | G Begg | M Dee |
In Sydney the racing action heads to Randwick for the Group 2 Apollo Stakes with Autumn Glow set to meet top gallopers Ceolwulf, Aeliana, Antino and Lindermann, in a race that serves a brilliant kick off for the stars Autumn campaigns.
Apollo Stakes – 1400m
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| LINDERMANN | C Waller | N Rawiller |
| ANTINO | T Gollan | T Berry |
| CEOLWULF | J Pride | C Schofield |
| AUTUMN GLOW | C Waller | J McDonald |
| AELIANA | C Waller | Z Lloyd |
Angel Capital, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah and Lazzura are all possible runners for Chris Waller in the Expressway Stakes over 1200m at Weight-For-Age with Caballus, Coal Crusher and Axius some of the other likely starters.
Expressway Stakes – 1200m
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| ANGEL CAPITAL | C Waller | |
| AXIUS | C Maher | T Clark |
| CABALLUS | B Baker | T Berry |
| COAL CRUSHER | J Pride | |
| ENRICHED | M Freedman | |
| JOLIESTAR | C Waller | |
| LADY SHENANDOAH | C Waller | |
| LAZZURA | C Waller |
Apocalyptic is set to start her campaign in the Light Fingers Stakes at 1200m against the three year old fillies.