Group 1 racing returns to Flemington for the first time in 2025 on Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day!
In what is always a fascinating feature race, this year’s Black Caviar Lightning field is headlined by the emerging three-year-olds, Growing Empire, Switzerland and Traffic Warden, but with several previous winners at the highest level also engaged, it could prove to be one of the standout races of the season.
Read on for my complete Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day tips.
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Race 1 – 12:15pm AEDT Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m)
Revelare faces another rise in class this week, but I think that this is a perfect Saturday metro target for him.
The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding won a 0-64 out at Seymour in late December and has since won in BM70 and BM78 company at Sandown.
He’s hard fit this week and 2000m at Flemington should suit him down to the ground.
Tip: 1 Unit Revelare
Race 2 – 12:45pm AEDT Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m)
Sword Of Legacy can break her maiden in the Talindert Stakes.
The Too Darn Hot filly showed potential at the trials prior to debuting, and she finished second behind an impressive Cavalry Girl right here on debut.
Having since been denied in a photo finish to the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Sandown, she’s open to further improvement this week and gets the services of Jamie Melham.
Tip: 3 Units Sword Of Legacy
Race 3 – 1:20pm AEDT Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m)
There’s a case to be made for a few of them in this quality edition of the Frances Tressady, but I am keen to stick with Miraval Rose.
Miraval Rose was a little flat footed when asked for an extra effort in the Bellmaine Stakes a fortnight ago, but her form prior to that was very good.
Getting to Flemington suits, there’s no doubting her fitness this week, while regular rider Craig Williams jumping back into the saddle is also a bonus.
Tip: 2 Units Miraval Rose
Race 4 – 1:55pm AEDT The All-Star Mile Owner Ambassador Trophy (1600m)
Ziryab has returned to the races in slick form this time.
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper was an eye-catching winner of a BM70 on the Caulfield Heath on Boxing Day, while he was last seen recording an impressive win as favourite at Mornington.
This is another rise in class, but he’s another one that looks well suited to racing on the big track at HQ, and the booking of Mark Zahra certainly doesn’t hinder his chances.
Tip: 2 Units Ziryab
Race 5 – 2:30pm AEDT The Flemington Long Lunch (1200m)
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program, but I’m keen to have something on the second up Veloce Carro.
Veloce Carro was charged with carrying 60kgs here when resuming last month but gave a great sight to finish less than two lengths behind Major Share.
I like that he has been back to the trials since that race, and he’ll relish the drop in weight this week.
Tip: 2 Units Veloce Carro
Race 6 – 3:05pm AEDT Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m)
Rise At Dawn is fresh into The Elms and rates as a key winning chance.
The Almanzor gelding hasn’t been seen at the races since August, but he ended his last prep with three-consecutive wins, peaking in the Heatherlie Handicap.
He’s unbeaten in two previous fresh attempts and has trialled very well ahead of his return.
Tip: 3 Units Rise At Dawn
Race 7 – 3:40pm AEDT Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m)
Royal Insignia just keeps on improving, and a race like the CS Hayes Stakes looks a perfect black type target for him.
Royal Insignia ended his spring prep with consecutive victories at Kyneton and Caulfield Heath, while he picked up where he left off by winning the Group 3 Manfred Stakes late last month.
With natural improvement, he can stamp himself as a leading contender for the Australian Guineas by winning again.
Tip: 3 Units Royal Insignia
Race 8 – 4:15pm AEDT Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m)
The Black Caviar Lightning is always an exciting contest, and this year’s edition is headlined by three emerging three-year-old sprinting talented in Growing Empire, Switzerland and Traffic Warden.
I was with Switzerland in his impressive Coolmore Stud Stakes victory here back in November and he is the one for me again in the Black Caviar Lightning.
The Snitzel colt has won five of his seven career starts so far, but there is no doubt that he went to a new level in the spring, and he simply couldn’t have been more impressive here on Derby Day.
He takes weight from most of his rivals, James McDonald is down to ride and the horse can go to another level again.
Tip: 3 Units Switzerland
Race 9 – 4:55pm AEDT Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m)
Captured By Love makes her Australian debut in an open edition of the Desirable Stakes.
The Written Tycoon filly ended her last prep with an eye-catching win in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas, while she dusted off the cobwebs when seventh behind Crocetti in the Group 1 Railway last month, beaten just over two lengths.
She’s yet to miss placing at this point of her preparation and the rise in trip looks to suit.
Tip: 2 Units Captured By Love
Race 10 – 5:35pm AEDT Stud & Stable Staff Leadership Award (1400m)
It’s Business Time is second up and set for an improved performance in the last on Black Caviar Lightning Day.
The Turn Me Loose mare raced well over in New Zealand last time in, finishing off her prep second in Group 3 company, while she clearly needed her first run in Australia at the beginning of the month to tune up.
She gets some relief in the weights this week under Jett Stanley, and she’s drawn to receive a nice run from an inside barrier.
Tip: 1 Unit It’s Business Time
