Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington shapes as an instant classic with Nature Strip stepping out to defend his crown against some of his toughest competition yet.

An elite field of nine has accepted to run down the famous Flemington straight, headlined by not only the seven-time Group 1 winner, but also Eduardo, Gytrash, and fellow stablemate, Home Affairs.

Swats That is also back for another crack, while Profiteer has seen plenty of early support with a win to his name over the track and trip.

With the prize money boosted to $1 million, find out our thoughts on each runner in our 2022 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Preview here!

Nature Strip, arguably the world’s best sprinter, won this race last year by half a length as the $4.40 second-elect, but it’s no surprise to find him as the short-priced favourite this time around based on what he was able to accomplish later in the year.

The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old went on to add a further two Group 1’s to his resume with wins in the T.J. Smith and the VRC Classic, with a legacy cementing win in the $15 million Everest sandwiched in between.

The son of Nicconi boasts a dominant first-up record of four wins and two placings, while he’s also a six-time winner at Flemington.

His jump-out last Friday suggested he’s in superb order, and while losing long-time jockey James McDonald hurts, there’s no question he’s still the horse to beat.

Eduardo has ventured back to Melbourne for the first time since 2020 after spending the entirety of last year in Sydney and Brisbane.

That decision paid off big time for trainer Joseph Pride as his talented sprinter won both The Galaxy and the Doomben 10,000 before returning during the spring to claim the $1 million Classique Legend Stakes at Rosehill.

Eduardo won only three of his 12 starts in Victoria under trainer Sarah Zschoke, but there’s no doubt he’s turned into a different horse under Pride’s care.

Nash Rawiller was the man responsible for both Group 1 wins last year, and it is likely we see the pair push forward and lead, or stalk the speed after drawing alongside Nature Strip.

Masked Crusader finally ticked the Group 1 box when he won the William Reid Stakes at The Valley last autumn, but it’s fair to say he’s been a tough horse to follow for most of his career.

The son of Toronado raced to mixed results during the spring, winning The Heath first-up at Caulfield but failing to fire in The Shorts at Randwick three weeks later.

He bounced back nicely with a win in the Premiere Stakes and a narrow runner-up to Nature Strip in the Everest, but his final start in the Classique Legend Stakes was far from his best.

On the plus side, he’s drawn well in barrier 3 ahead of his Flemington debut, and his first-up record (5:3-1-0) makes him a must-include in multiples.

Gytrash won this race two years ago by a length to Redzel, but it’s fair to wonder if his best days are behind him.

The son of Lope De Vega hasn’t won a race in over a year, and he was largely disappointing during the spring finishing well down the straight in both The Everest and the Classique Legend Stakes after an encouraging first-up run.

He has won three-from-four at Flemington, but reports from the Gordon Richards following his recent jump out suggested he might be in need of the run.

The Inferno

Singapore galloper The Inferno has returned for a second stint in Australia following a brief, yet encouraging debut during the spring.

The Cliff Brown-trained five-year-old won the Group 2 McEwen Stakes by a length at The Valley second-up and was extremely unlucky not to score two weeks later when a nose second to Wild Ruler in the Moir Stakes.

He didn’t handle the rain-affected track in The Everest, but all reports suggest he’s filled out and mature ahead of his return to the races.

This is his first look at Flemington, but with a strong fresh record, he should be arriving on the scene late and potentially challenging for a place.

The Astrologist

The Astrologist resumed at Flemington just over a month ago to run third in the Group 3 Standish Handicap over 1200m.

He’s typically done some of his best work second-up, but considering this is his first start at the top level, it’s hard to see him measuring up.

Swats That resumed this time last year to run third in the Lightning and fifth in the Newmarket a few weeks later, but her performances during last year’s spring were short of her best.

The mare by Shamus Award did wrap things up on a high note when second to Nature Strip in the VRC Classic, and there’s no question she’s capable of much better.

Tough to build a case for her against some of these, but she is a horse worth following with improvement to come.