2025 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes: Skybird’s trainer Mitch Freedman still has one eye on Oakleigh Plate

Trainer Mitch Freedman could bypass the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) on Saturday with Skybird and run in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) instead.

Skybird is in the field for Saturday’s Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes but may bypass the race in favour of the Oakleigh Plate. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos

Trainer Mitch Freedman could bypass the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) on Saturday with Skybird and run in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) instead.

While Skybird “is more of a Flemington horse”, the four-year-old mare would be “very well weighted” on about 53kg-53.5kg in a more winnable Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.

The gap between runs, two or three weeks into the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 8, is another factor.

Multiple Group 2-winner Skybird finished second in a trial last week.

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“She’s returned very well. We’re really happy with her,” Freedman said.

“We’re thinking the handicap might be the better chance at winning but we still need to make the decision on whether we end up running on Saturday or wait for the Oakleigh Plate.

“She’s probably very well weighted in an Oakleigh Plate but we think she is more of a Flemington horse, these are things we got to weigh up over the next few days.

“We want to work out what way has us in the best possible shape in the Nerwmarket, whether it’s running this Saturday or next.”

The G2 Tobin Bronze Stakes goes to Skybird & @beau_mertens 😍 @Freedmanmitch has done a great job with her 👏 pic.twitter.com/cwSf0Ovl5j

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 27, 2024

• Middle draw for Switzerland in Black Caviar Lightning Stakes

Skybird, a $34 chance in the Lightning Stakes, has barrier three in the $1m feature with favourites Switzerland ($2.90) and Growing Empire ($3.90) seven and six respectively.

Freedman has focused Skybird’s campaign on the major sprints in Melbourne and Adelaide.

“There’s three or four big sprints coming up the next six weeks in Melbourne,” Freedman said.

“We’re really keen to try and tackle those and see where she ends up, then we’re thinking freshen up and off to Adelaide again.”

Skybird was touched off in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) first-up last campaign.

She placed third in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) second-up before luckless runs in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Golden Eagle (1500).

“She had a bit of an unlucky campaign not to get a win on the board,” Freedman said.

“She was exceptional first up in the Bobbie Lewis Quality, beating Right To Party (fourth) and only narrowly being beaten by Arkansaw Kid and beating Buenos Noches (third).

“The form around her is very good and I think she’s improved again this preparation.”

It's another winner for @lindsayparkrace & @craig_newitt as Arkansaw Kid edges out Skybird & Buenos Noches in the Bobbie Lewis ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/2Op0Ipw4i1

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 14, 2024

• Trots trainer to have first gallops runner at Flemington on Saturday

Freedman also has Group 1 winner Attrition set to resume in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) on Saturday at Flemington.

Attrition has a nomination for the All-Star Mile but the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) is a more realistic target.

“We’re thinking a short campaign, the campaign is mapped out around Melbourne but we got to be a bit flexible around him,” Freedman said.

Attrition takes the G2 Hill Stakes in fine style!@Freedmanmitch | @beau_mertens | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/6OAKhuMgTy

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 12, 2024

• Dunn plots Melbourne Cup return after ‘train wreck’ stable debut

“Elms, Blamey (Stakes), Peter Young (Stakes) and if we’re going well enough we’ll go on to the Australian Cup.

“But any of those weeks if we think there’s a better option for him interstate then we’re quite happy to travel him.”

Attrition raced in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth last campaign, which included victory in the $2m Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m).

Originally published as 2025 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes: Skybird’s trainer Mitch Freedman still has one eye on Oakleigh Plate