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An exciting edition of the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes headlines the ten-race program at Flemington this Saturday, February 17th.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail will be left in the true position for the first Group 1 raceday of the year at HQ, while a generally fine week in greater metropolitan Melbourne has seen the track rated in the Good (4) range.
Check out our entire Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day Preview below.
RACE 1 - 12:15PM: Goodwood Trophy (2000m)
Flashing Feeling is hard fit and primed for another big performance at HQ on Saturday.
The Iffraaj gelding has missed placing once in four trips to the races this time, winning in BM78 company at The Valley most notably, while he was last seen filling the minors over this trip at Caulfield.
The big Flemington track suits this week, and I can't find a reason why he won't be in the finish.
RACE 2 - 12:45PM: Ronald McDonald House Charities Trophy (1100m)
Wiggum was tough without much luck here at Flemington last time out, and I am going to give him another chance when he steps out on Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day.
The Rich Enuff gelding turned in some excellent performances during his spring prep last year, beating home the likes of Barber over 1000m here on Melbourne Cup Day most notably.
Given that his appearance here late last month was his first after a freshen-up, I'm expecting him to be all the better for it, and the booking of Craig Williams is positive.
RACE 3 - 1:20PM: Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m)
There isn't a lot of form to study ahead of this year's Talindert Stakes as is typically the case, but I am going to have something small on a horse that does have raceday experience – Aardvark.
Aardvark did only make one appearance during the Spring Carnival, but I thought that he was decent (though green) when third behind Coleman and Arabian Summer in the Debutant Stakes.
That form has held up, while this bloke has had the benefit of a trial leading up to Saturday's return.
RACE 4 - 1:55PM: Royal Ascot Plate (1600m)
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program and I am going to give Happiness Emperor another chance at odds.
Japanese Emperor finished midfield over 1200m here last month, and the pattern of the day worked against him last time out, in a race where almost nothing went right for him.
There's no doubt that he has a fitness edge over several key rivals this week, and he will relish getting out to the mile.
RACE 5 - 2:30PM: Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m)
Revolutionary Miss returned to sharp form in the spring and the Frances Tressady Stakes looks a perfect feature race for her.
Revolutionary Miss has been a decent horse for the Snowdens throughout her career, but after hitting an inconsistent patch for a season or two, she bounced back into winning form over 1400m at Cranbourne in November, before claiming a deserved win in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes a week later.
She returned from a short break to fill the minors in the Magic Millions Cup in January and has been kept fresh since that effort.
RACE 6 - 3:05PM: Group 3 The Vanity (1400m)
This is an excellent edition of The Vanity and a case to be made for many of them, but I've found to impossible to look past Mollynickers' fresh record and overall ability.
Mollynickers returned to action for consecutive wins back in winter last year, including the VOBIS Gold Ingot, while she was last seen finishing fourth, beaten two lengths in the Group 1 Flight Stakes up in Sydney.
Benny Melham jumps into the saddle this week and we can have an each way play.
RACE 7 - 3:40PM: Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m)
King Colorado turned in a big performance under plenty of weight first-up this time, and he can stamp himself as a leading Australian Guineas chance by winning the CS Hayes Stakes.
The Kingman colt won the Group 1 JJ Atkins at just his third career starts back in June of last year, and his four-start spring preparation was highlighted by a credible fourth in the Caulfield Guineas.
Mark Zahra keeps the ride; the horse strips fitter and I am confident that he has a lot of these covered for class.
RACE 8 - 4:15PM: Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m)
Just eight sprinters will contest this year's Black Caviar Lightning Stakes but what the field lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality.
I've put Imperatriz on top, but check out my full runner-by-runner guide and Black Caviar Lightning Stakes betting plan RIGHT HERE.
4 Units Imperatriz
1 Unit Private Eye
RACE 9 - 4:55PM: Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m)
Jimmysstar returned to action with a dominant effort at Caulfield a fortnight ago and way subsequently awarded an All-Star Mile golden ticket, and he has opened a $1.50 favourite in The Elms betting this week.
I think he'll blow away this field as well, but that price is far too short for me, so I am going to select him as the winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with Crosshaven running into the first three.
Crosshaven has turned in some competitive performances this time in and boasts a key fitness edge over plenty of these rivals.
Same Race Multi selections:
► No. 12 Jimmystar (Win)
► No. 6 Crosshaven (Top 3)
RACE 10 - 5:35PM: York Trophy (1400m)
Punch Lane has hardly turned in a poor performance this time in and looms as the one to beat again in the last on Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day.
The So You Think gelding blew them away first-up at Geelong, and after a luckless run over 1300m at Sandown, he returned to winning form in dominant fashion a fortnight ago.
He's hard fit this week, drops in the weights and is another whose winning claims are enhanced with Mark Zahra aboard.
