Likely field: Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes
Here is a likely field for the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, as the Imperatriz camp say she’s “thriving”.
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Imperatriz is “thriving” ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
The Te Akau Racing superstar and eight-time Group 1 winner will gallop The Valley on Monday morning with trainer Mark Walker in attendance.
Imperatriz is a $1.70 favourite with TAB to make it back-to-back top class wins down the Flemington straight after winning the Champions Sprint last spring.
Te Akau’s Cranbourne team has ensured the five-year-old mare, who feels the heat more than most, has been kept cool as Melbourne sweats through a late-summer heat wave.
Walker travelled to Melbourne on Sunday to oversee the mare’s final build-up towards the Lightning.
Te Akau boss David Ellis said on Sunday that Imperatriz was “thriving”.
“All going well this week, we will run Saturday for sure,” Ellis said.
A crack — but smallish — field will be assembled in the Lightning.
Imperatriz’s lacklustre trial last Monday got everyone talking.
Blake Shinn will take the ride on gun Sydney sprinter, Private Eye, for Joe Pride.
Jamie Kah will partner three-year-old colt, I Am Unstoppable, who has trialled well ahead of his first-up assignment.
Bella Nipotina, who finished third last year behind stablemate Coolangatta, will take her place.
Comeback mare Passive Aggressive is not expected to take her place, and is expected to kick off her campaign in the Challenge Stakes in Sydney.
Official nominations for the Lightning close at midday on Monday.
Queen of the sprint 👑
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 11, 2023
The first of the three Group 1s and sprinting bragging rights go to IMPERATRIZ who claims the spoils in the Darley Champions Sprint (1200m).
📽 @10SportAU | #StakesDaypic.twitter.com/4ax2aVpF44
LIKELY LIGHTNING STAKES RUNNERS
Imperatriz
Private Eye
I Am Unstoppable
Bella Nipotina
Cylinder
Espiona
The Astrologist
Originally published as Likely field: Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes
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