Skybird comes from the clouds to win Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington

Trainer Mitch Freedman knew his unfancied outsider Skybird would be up for the challenge in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes as she became the longest-priced winner of the race.

Skybird swoops late to win the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Skybird unleashed a devastating turn of foot to cause a major boilover in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) on Saturday at Flemington.

Skybird, the longest-priced ever winner of the race at $26, exploded past runner-up Stretan Angel inside the last 100m while Benedetta got the better of favourite Switzerland late to grab third.

Billed as a coronation race for future stud colts Switzerland, Growing Empire and Traffic Warden to stamp their breeding credentials the Group 1 transformed into an all-female horsepower trifecta.

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A fitting result as Victoria Racing Club on Saturday celebrated the late legendary mare Black Caviar in the first Lightning Stakes since her death last year.

Black Caviar’s perfect 25-start record included three Lightning Stakes 2011-13.

Traffic Warden finished fifth while Growing Empire dropped out to run seventh in the 10-horse field.

Skybird gave them all windburn.

“I knew we were up against the challenge,” Freedman said.

“Everyone wanted to tell us we weren’t fast enough for the 1000 but we know that she’s a sprinter.

“She was coiled up behind them there and I was just wanting a gap to come and when it did she burst through and galloped away from them.”

IT'S SKYBIRD IN THE BLACK CAVIAR LIGHTNING STAKES! 🦅

THE THREE 3YO COLTS FINISH OUT OF THE PLACINGS! 😱@[e-mail]/qgXjJ6oJyl

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 15, 2025

• What the jockeys said: 2025 Black Caviar Lightning

Persistent and intermittent rain during the card only emboldened Freedman.

“Attrition (unplaced in the Elms Handicap) doesn’t like it, so we were driving down here knowing that his chances were diminishing but I knew her chances were increasing,” Freedman said.

“It was fantastic and great to see.”

Freedman said the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) would be the next target for Skybird.

“Why not. It maps well. We thought, there’s three sprints in Melbourne she could run in, either this or the Oakleigh Plate into the Newmarket and then into the William Reid,” Freedman said.

“We’ll go down that path at this stage and then we’ve got Adelaide to back up on.

“But we’ll make sure she pulls up well.”

Trainer Mitchell Freedman and jockey John Allen after winning the Lightning Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Winning jockey John Allen knew he was on the right horse in the run.

“I couldn’t believe how well I was going,” Allen said.

“I was following Switzerland, halfway up the straight I was going to stay on his back and try and to follow him through, but I was going that easy I just had to come off and try and find my own path.

“She quickened up and put the race to bed very quickly. To be honest, from about the halfway she just felt like she couldn’t get beat, to be honest.”

A post race vet examination found Skybird lame in the left foreleg.

Champion trainer Chris Waller said Switzerland raced well in “a tricky race”.

“Soft track, strong head wind, he was first-up and I don’t think he’s a real 1000m horse,” Waller said.

“It’s a great start to the preparation.”

Waller said Switzerland would either head to the Newmarket or Canterbury Stakes in Sydney.

Jockey Mark Zahra said Growing Empire raced “very green off the bridle”.

Originally published as Skybird comes from the clouds to win Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington